LONG-TERM SEALING EFFICACY OF 4 ROOT SURFACE SEALING MATERIALS USED IN ENDODONTIC LEAKAGE STUDIES

Fifty extracted human maxillary anterior teeth were biomechanically in strumented and divided into five equal groups, four experimental and a control. The teeth in the experimental groups had their root surface coated with one of four sealants; epoxy, casting resin, sticky wax, or nail polish. The roots of the remaining teeth were not coated and ser ved as controls. All of the teeth were mounted in the caps of scintill ation vials. Five microliters of [H-3]uridine were deposited in the ro ot canal space and disintegration counts were obtained over time perio ds of 1, 4, 8, 12, and 36 wk. At the conclusion of the experiment, sti cky wax was demonstrated to provide a superior seal (p < 0.0001).