Long‐term sealing ability of resin‐based root canal fillings

<jats:sec><jats:label/><jats:p><jats:bold>Santos J, Tjäderhane L, Ferraz C, Zaia A, Alves M, De Goes M, Carrilho M.</jats:bold> Long‐term sealing ability of resin‐based root canal fillings. International Endodontic Journal, <jats:bold>43</jats:bold>, 455–460, 2010.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p><jats:bold>Aim </jats:bold> To evaluate the ability of two resin‐based filling materials to provide immediate and long‐term sealing of the root canal.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Methodology </jats:bold> A total of eighty‐two human roots were instrumented and filled with AH Plus/gutta‐percha or Epiphany/Resilon. Root filled teeth were sealed coronally either with Coltosol or Clearfil SE Bond/Filtek Z250 or were left unsealed. The quality of root canal sealing was assessed by a fluid filtration method performed at immediate and 180‐day time intervals. Mean fluid filtration rates were analyzed by three‐way repeated measures <jats:sc>anova</jats:sc> and Tukey <jats:italic>post</jats:italic> hoc test.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Results </jats:bold> Specimens filled with Epiphany/Resilon exhibited higher leakage than specimens filled with AH Plus/gutta‐percha (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < 0.05), regardless of the coronal sealing condition and period of evaluation. No difference was detected between coronal restorative materials (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> > 0.05), whilst leakage in teeth without any coronal restoration was significantly higher (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < 0.05). After storage, a significant decrease in leakage (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < 0.05) was observed in all experimental groups.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Conclusions </jats:bold> AH Plus/gutta‐percha provided superior root canal sealing at both immediate and 180‐day time periods. The presence of a coronal seal reduced leakage significantly. Storage of root filled specimens did not disturb the sealing ability of the tested materials.</jats:p></jats:sec>