EFFECT OF DOWEL PREPARATION ON APICAL SEAL OF ENDODONTICALLY TREATED TEETH

The effect of dowel preparation on root canals sealed with either gutta-percha, sectional silver cones, or root-end amalgam fillings has been investigated. The dowel preparations were terminated at depths of 4 and 8 mm. coronal to the apex. The prepared teeth were placed in a dye bath for 48 hours; then they were coded, sectioned, and evaluated for dye penetration along the remaining root canal filling. The results of the investigation revealed that cutting 1 mm. from a 5 mm. sectional silver cone permitted complete dye penetration in eight of nine teeth. However, no increased incidence of leakage was noted if the silver cone was not reduced in length. Root canals sealed with the lateral condensation of gutta-percha showed no adverse leakage effect due to dowel preparation. Root canals sealed by the warm gutta-percha technique presented a slightly increased incidence of leakage following dowel preparation. The root canals sealed with only a root-end amalgam permitted complete dye penetration in seven of eight teeth. © 1969 The C. V. Mosby Company.