Comparison of Dye Extraction or Dye Penetration Methods to Quantitatively Determine Microleakage of Three Different Root Canal Sealers

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated the feasibility of an approach to determine the volume of dye penetration using methlene blue as dye in comparison to a well known dye extraction method. Materials and methods: One hundred and fifty teeth were randomly divided into two groups (dye extraction or dye penetration methods) of 75 teeth. After, 75 teeth were divided into 3 subgroups for three different root canal sealers. For the volumetric analysis of dye penetration method area of penetration was converted into volume and quantitative analysis was performed. For the dye extraction method dye concentration in the solution was analyzed using an UV-spectrophotometer. In both techniques roots were evacuated prior to dye introduction to prevent air entrapments providing reliable results. The sealabilities of the root canal sealers Ketac-Endo, MetaSEAL, and AH Plus JET were evaluated and results were compared regarding dye extraction or dye penetration methods. Furthermore, 36 teeth were used as positive and negative controls. Results: Dye extraction and volume measurement of dye penetration methods showed that Ketac-Endo displayed the highest apical leakage, followed by MetaSEAL (P 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that results of volumetric determination of dye penetration method were not different when compared with the results of dye extraction method with vacuuming. In simplifing the procedures, dye extraction method may be preferred.