Assessment of a new root canal sealer's apical sealing ability

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the apical sealing ability of a newly introduced root canal sealer: iRoot SP Root Canal Sealer. Sixty-eight extracted human anterior single-root teeth were used. The coronal part of each tooth was removed and the root canals were prepared with ProTaper files. The specimens were divided into 3 groups of 20 teeth each. Group A specimens were filled with iRoot SP using the continuous wave condensation technique; Group B specimens were obturated with iRoot SP using a single cone technique; Group C specimens were filled with AH plus by means of the continuous wave condensation technique. Evaluation of the apical leakage was performed with a fluid filtration method at 24 hours and 1, 4, and 8 weeks. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to qualitatively assess what mechanisms might be responsible for leakage of the different groups. There was no significant difference in fluid leakage among the groups, as well as no time effect on leakage (P > .05). SEM revealed both gap-free regions and gap-containing regions in canals filled with both materials. iRoot SP was equivalent to AH Plus sealer in apical sealing ability.