Aim: to compare the apical sealing ability of three root canal sealers in human
extracted teeth using dye penetration.
Materials and Methods: thirty extracted human maxillary teeth were instrumented
1mm short of the anatomical apex and randomly as
signed to three groups (n=10),
according to the root canal sealer used for obturation. The teeth were divided into three
experimental groups and obturated by cold lateral compaction of gutta-percha and one of
the following sealers: group I, Zinc oxide and Eugenol sealer; group II, Adseal; group III,
Apexit plus.The teeth were covered with nail varnish to within 2-3mm of the apical
foramen and immersed in 2% methylene blue for 24 hours.After this period, the teeth were
washed and cut longitudinally for apical leakage measurement inside the canal.
Results: Statistical evaluation of the results showed no significant difference in the
leakage between Adseal and Apexit plus (P =0.99). Leakage with ZOE was significantly
lesser than Adseal (P=0.004) andApexit Plus (P=0.003).
Conclusions:under the condition of this study, it can be concluded that ZOE presents
lower apical leakage than Adseal and Apexit plus, and there was no significant difference
in leakage between Adseal and Apexit plus.
