Evaluation of ionic leakage of lateral condensation and McSpadden methods by autoradiography

Abstract

<h2>Summary</h2> The objective of this study was to develop a reliable autoradiographic technique capable of quantitative determination of ion leakage in the root canal. The method was used to assay for the differences in leakage from root canals obturated with guttapercha with or without sealer. The specific techniques used were lateral condensation and the McSpadden method. The McSpadden method without sealer leaked 1.86 times the value observed for the same technique with sealer. The lateral condensation technique with sealer gave a leakage value of 1.14. Lateral condensation alone leaked 2.43 times the observed leakage value of McSpadden techniques with sealer. Grossman sealer lowered ionic leakage by approximately 50% in each case.