Comparative Evaluation of the Apical Sealing Ability of Two Root Canal Sealers Using the Two Different Placement Techniques: An In Vitro Study

Aim: To compare and evaluate the effect of two different sealer placement techniques on the apical sealing ability of MTA Fillapex and AH Plus root canal sealers. Materials and methods: Study was performed on 40 extracted human single-rooted permanent teeth, which were decoronated and the root canals were instrumented. The specimens were randomly divided into four groups and obturated using single-cone technique. Group IA: Using AH Plus sealer; placed using master gutta percha (GP) cone, group IB: Using AH Plus sealer; placed using size 30 lentulospiral, group IIA: Using MTA Fillapex; placed using master GP cone, and group IIB: Using MTA Fillapex; placed using size 30 lentulospiral. Microleakage was evaluated using dye penetration method. Teeth were split longitudinally and then horizontal markings were made at 1.5, 4, and 6 mm from the apex. Dye penetration evaluation was performed under stereomicroscope (4 × magnification) and statistically evaluated. Results: The lowest microleakage values were obtained with group IIB (MTA Fillapex placed using lentulospiral) and the highest with group IA (AH Plus placed using mastercone). Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, MTA Fillapex sealer placed using lentulospiral achieved highest apical seal among the experimental groups. Though leakage cannot be totally eliminated from the fate of a root canal treated teeth, the type of root canal sealer and its placement plays a major role in the success of an endodontic treatment.