An in vitro study of apical and coronal microleakage of laterally condensed gutta percha with Ketac-Endo and AH-26

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare both apical and coronal dye penetration when Ketac-Endo and AH-26 sealers were used with laterally condensed gutta percha. Crowns were removed from 28 teeth and the root canals were biomechanically prepared. The teeth were divided into two groups of 12 teeth each and a control group of 4 teeth. Root canals in the two experimental groups were filled with laterally condensed gutta percha and either Ketac-Endo or AH-26 sealer. The Ketac-Endo group had the coronal 3 mm of gutta percha and sealer removed and the resultant cavity was filled with Ketac-Endo alone. After the sealers had set, the root surfaces were coated with nail varnish except at the apex and at the coronal end. Positive controls had no root fillings and were coated with nail varnish in the same manner while the negative controls were sealed apically and coronally with Cavit prior to sealing the entire external root surface with nail varnish. Specimens were placed in 2% methylene blue dye in a vacuum of 660 mm of mercury for five minutes and then left immersed for a further two days. The roots were vertically sectioned to determine the following mean levels of dye penetration: Ketac-Endo, 1.08 mm apically and 6.29 mm coronally; AH-26, 0.75 mm apically and 6.67 mm coronally. Positive controls had total leakage and negative controls had no leakage. This study demonstrated that the apical and coronal seals obtained with Ketac-Endo and AH-26 were not significantly different although the epical seal obtained with each material was significantly better than the corresponding coronal seal.