An in-vitro comparison of microleakage between three calcium silicate cements and amalgam

Abstract

AIM : The purpose of this in-vitro study was to compare the sealing ability of White ProRoot® MTA, MTA PlusTM, BiodentineTM and Permite Amalgam when used as root-end filling materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS : 120 single rooted, extracted teeth were endodontically treated. The apical 3 mm of each root was resected, and 3 mm deep root-end cavities were prepared. Specimens were divided into four groups (n=30) and filled with the following materials: ProRoot® MTA, MTA PlusTM, BiodentineTM, and Permite Amalgam. Specimens were submerged in Indian Ink for 48 hours, and sectioned horizontally in one millimetre increments from the apical end. Dye penetration was measured using a stereomicroscope. RESULTS : Data for different groups was summarised as percentages. Pairwise comparisons between the calcium silicate materials to amalgam were done at the 0.017 level of significance, using Fisher’s exact test. Amalgam showed significantly more leakage than the calcium silicate materials (ProRoot® MTA, MTA PlusTM and BiodentineTM) (p<0.001). No significant differences in sealing ability were found among the calcium silicate materials. CONCLUSION : Amalgam should be regarded as unsuitable for use as a root-end filling material. Calcium silicate cements should be recommended as the material of choice for root-end filling.