A stereomicroscopic assessment of the apical microleakage of different types of endodontic sealers: an in-vitro study

Background. The purpose of this in-vitro study was to compare the extent of dye penetration through the apical foramen following root canal obturation carried out using two different root canal sealers, in combination with the warm vertical condensation technique. Materials and methods. In this in-vitro study, fifty sound permanent maxillary single-rooted premolars were selected and decoronated to maintain the working length at 12 mm. The samples were biomechanically instrumented and obturated with ProTaper gutta-percha coated with two different endodontic sealers: bioceramic (CeraSeal) and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE)-based sealer. After endodontic treatment, the specimens were divided into two groups depending on the sealer used. The samples were then immersed in 1% methylene blue dye for 120 hours. Next, the roots were sectioned longitudinally into two halves to expose the canal’s apical third. The depths of dye infiltration were recorded in each group and analyzed using stereomicroscopic examination. Data was analyzed using an independent samples t-test with SPSS software, and a significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results. All samples (n = 50 overall) demonstrated apical microleakage. The samples with ZOE sealer exhibited significantly greater dye penetration lengths (p < 0.05) compared to those with CeraSeal sealer. Furthermore, dye penetration values were reduced in the samples sealed with CeraSeal, indicating that obturation with a bioceramic sealer seems more promising in providing better apical sealing ability than ZOE sealer. Conclusion. Within the limitations of this study, CeraSeal demonstrated better apical sealing ability of the root canal than the ZOE sealer. However, complete apical microleakage cannot be prevented.