SEALING PROPERTIES OF A NEW EPOXY RESIN-BASED ROOT-CANAL SEALER

In this study a new epoxy-resin-based endodontic sealer, AH Plus, was tested in vitro for apical leakage. The conventional sealer AH26, for which information is already available, was used as the control. The r oot canals of 72 single-rooted teeth were prepared biomechanically usi ng a stepback technique before lateral condensation of gutta-percha wi th one of the two sealers. Teeth were immersed in 5% methylene blue dy e for 2, 4 or 10 days. The roots were split longitudinally so that the extent of dye penetration could be measured with a stereomicroscope. The mean extent at 2 days was 0.4mm for AH26 and 1.4mm for AW Plus. Ne ither material produced a complete apical seal and leakage increased w ith the duration of immersion in dye. The differences between observat ion periods as well as between materials with respect to dye penetrati on were statistically significant ANOVA, (P < 0.005).