SEALING ABILITY OF A MINERAL TRIOXIDE AGGREGATE WHEN USED AS A ROOT END FILLING MATERIAL

This in vitro study used rhodamine B fluorescent dye and a confocal mi croscope to evaluate the sealing ability of amalgam, super EBA, and a mineral trioxide aggregate when used as root end filling materials. Th irty single-canal teeth were cleaned, shaped, and obturated with gutta -percha and root canal sealer. After application of nail polish to the external surface, the apical 3 mm of each root was resected and 3-mm deep root end preparations were made. The roots were randomly divided into three groups and the root end preparations filled with the experi mental materials. All roots were then exposed to an aqueous solution o f rhodamine B fluorescent dye for 24 h, longitudinally sectioned, and the extent of dye penetration measured using a confocal microscope. St atistical analysis showed that the mineral trioxide aggregate leaked s ignificantly less than amalgam and super EBA.