APICAL MARGINAL ADAPTATION OF ORTHOGRADE AND RETROGRADE ROOT END FILLINGS - A DYE LEAKAGE AND SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDY

A few studies have attempted to examine the correlation between clinic al success of root canal therapy and in vitro examinations. In this ca se report we examined the apical adaption of three orthograde fillings and four retrograde amalgam root end fillings from four radiographica lly successful teeth and one unsuccessful case by using dye leakage an d scanning electron microscopic methods. Despite the radiographic appe arance of successful root canal therapy, these examinations showed pen etration of methylene blue dye through the apical foramina to the leve ls of the root canal filling materials in the roots treated nonsurgica lly and the presence of small gaps between filling materials and the d entinal walls. The methylene blue dye also penetrated through the inte rface between amalgam and root end cavities, and there were varying si ze gaps between the root end cavities and amalgam. Similar examination s on the radiographically unsuccessful retrograde filling showed the p resence of gaps between the amalgam and the root end cavity preparatio n and complete penetration of methylene blue dye between amalgam, root canal filling materials, and the dentinal walls.