Glucose penetration and fluid transport through coronal root structure and filled root canals

Abstract

To measure glucose penetration and fluid transport through coronal root structure and compare it with leakage along the coronal region of root fillings. A total of 50 single-rooted teeth were selected and divided into three groups. Ten roots were sectioned longitudinally and the apical portion was removed leaving a total length of 9 mm. These 20 half-roots served as group 1: root structure (n = 20). The canals of the remaining 40 roots were prepared to size 50 and filled with vertically compacted injectable filling material and sealer. Group 2: Resilon + Epiphany (n = 20) and group 3: gutta-percha + AH26 (n = 20). The apical portion of the root was removed. Glucose penetration through the coronal root structure and coronal root fillings was checked over a period of 4 weeks and fluid transport was measured after completion of the glucose penetration test. Differences between the groups were statistically analysed with the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney test. The three groups presented significantly different glucose penetration (P < 0.05). The two groups of filled canals showed significant glucose leakage whilst the root structure group did not show any leakage. In the fluid transport model, the root structure group also did not show any leakage. No significant difference in leakage existed between the two vertically compacted filling materials, Resilon with Epiphany sealer and gutta-percha with AH26 in both models (P > 0.05). Under the conditions of this study, in both models used, no leakage was observed through root structure. Filled canals were associated with penetration of glucose regardless of the material used.