LEAKAGE OF AMALGAM AND SUPER-ERA ROOT-END FILLINGS USING 2 PREPARATION TECHNIQUES AND SURGICAL MICROSCOPY

An in vitro dye leakage study was conducted to test the root-end seali ng ability of amalgam with varnish or Super-EBA using two root-end pre paration techniques and surgical microscopy. Sixty-four single-rooted teeth were instrumented and obturated with gutta-percha. Teeth were ra ndomly placed into four groups. Two groups received perpendicular root -end resections, 3-mm-deep ultrasonic root-end preparations, and eithe r amalgam with varnish or Super-EBA root-end fillings. The other two g roups received beveled root-end resections, 3-mm-deep micro-handpiece preparations, and either amalgam with varnish or Super-EBA. All root-e nd procedures were performed at x5 to x8 magnification. Microleakage w as assessed at 4 months using methylene blue dye and a passive hydrost atic pressure technique. Statistical analysis showed that, regardless of technique, Super-EBA leaked significantly less than amalgam with va rnish. There was no significant difference between the two root-end re section and preparation techniques.