Comparative investigation of marginal adaptation of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement as root-end filling materials: A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study

Abstract

Apical seal is a major cause of surgical endodontic failures, so the use of suitable substance as root-end filling material that prevents egress of potential contaminants into periapical tissue is very important. The purpose of this study was to compare the marginal adaptation of four root-end filling materials [white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA), gray mineral trioxide aggregate (GMTA), white Portland cement (WPC) and gray Portland cement (GPC)] by SEM study. 40 human single-rooted teeth were instrumented, and obturated with gutta-percha. After resecting the root-end, apical cavity preparation were done. The teeth were randomly divided into 4experimental groups (each containing 10 teeth). Root–end cavities in each group were filled with experimental materials. After 24 h, SEM examination was done to determine the distance between the root-end filling materials and the dentin of cavity walls. Statistical analysis of data showed that GMTA had significantly better adaptation between the experimental materials. GMTA and GPC have the highest and lowest degree of marginal adaptation respectively. The marginal adaptation in WMTA was better than WPC; however, there was statistically significant difference just between GMTA and GPC groups (p<0.001). Key words: Marginal adaptation, root-end filling material, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Portland cement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM).