Resistance of Resin Cements used for Fixation of Intraradicular Retainers to the Transdentinal Diffusion of Fluids

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate using methylene blue dye the resistance of different resin luting cements to the transdentinal diffusion of fluids in the absence of radicular cementum. Methods: The sample was composed of 48 endodontically treated single-rooted human teeth that received cast intraradicular retainers and were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 12 teeth each, according to the luting cement: GZPC – posts fixed with zinc phosphate cement; GE - posts fixed with Enforce; GP – posts fixed with Panavia F; and GR - posts fixed with Rely X. After post fixation, an area measuring 1.5 mm wide and 5 mm high was delimited in the cervical region of root, in which the radicular cementum was removed with diamond burs. This window was etched with citric acid for removal of the magma produced by the action of the burs. Except for this window, the teeth had their external surface rendered waterproof and then immersed in a 1% methylene blue dye solution during 48 hours. After this period, the teeth were ground in a mesiodistal direction, scanned and evaluated using Imagelab image-analysis software. Data were analyzed statistically by the nonparametric analysis of variance (Kruskal-Wallis test) at 5% significance level. Results: There were statistically significant differences (p<0.01) among the groups comparing the dye-stained surface in the cement pellicle. Panavia F was the most resistant to infiltration, followed by Enforce, Rely X and zinc phosphate cement. The last two cements did not differ significantly (p<0.01) from each other. Conclusion: In the absence of radicular cementum, Panavia F promoted the best seal of the root canal system.