Background and aims. The single-cone technique has gained some popularity in some European countries. The aim of the present study was to compare the push-out bond strength of gutta-percha to root canal dentin with the single-cone and cold lateral compaction canal obturation techniques.Materials and methods. The root canals of 58 human mandibular premolars were prepared using modified crown-down technique with ProTaper rotary files up to #F3as a master apical file (MAF) and divided randomly into groups A and B based on canal obturation technique. In group A (n = 29) the root canals were obturated with single-cone technique with #F3(30/.09) ProTaper gutta-percha, which was matched with MAF in relation to diameter, taper and manufacturer; in group B (n = 29) the canals were obturated with gutta-percha using cold lateral compaction technique. In both groups AH plus sealer were used. After two weeks of incubation, three 2-mm slices were prepared at a distance of 2 mm from the coronal surface and push-out test was carried out. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics using independent samples t-test.Results. There were statistically significant differences between two groups. The mean push-out bond strength was higher in group B (lateral compaction technique) compared to group A (single-cone technique; P < 0.05).Conclusion. Use of single-cone technique for obturation of root canals resulted in a lower bond strength compared to cold lateral compaction technique.

Background. Further studies on the adhesion properties of MTA-based materials seem necessary due to their growing use in endodontic treatment. This research aimed to assess the effect of retreatment on the bond strength of MTA-based (MTA Fillapex) and epoxy resin-based (AH Plus) sealers.Methods. ProTaper rotary files were applied to prepare the root canals of 80 human mandibular premolars. Then, the roots were randomly divided intotwo groups of A (n=40) and B (n=40), which were obturated with gutta-percha and MTA Filla-pex and AH Plus sealer, respectively. In both groups, the teeth were randomly subdivided into 2 subgroups. No retreatment was carried out in subgroups A1 and B1, while subgroups A2 and B2 were retreated with rotary files and a solvent. Then, a push-out test was performed on four 2-mm slices of each tooth at a distance of 2 mm from the coronal surface after two weeks of incubation. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and statistical significance was set at P<0.05.Results. Regardless of the procedure followed (P<0.001), significant differences were detected in the mean bond strength values between the two sealers. Irrespective of the sealer type (P=0.3), no significant differences were revealed by comparing the mean bond strength values of the study subgroups. Furthermore, no statistically significant interaction (P=0.5) was found between the treatment and sealer types.Conclusion. AH Plus sealer exhibited a higher bond strength compared to MTA Fillapex. Retreatment using rotary files and chloroform had no statistically significant effect on the bond strength of sealers evaluated in this study.

Objective: Proper apical seal plays an important role in the success of root canal treatment. The most common cause of failure of root canal therapy is known as the lack of adequate apical seal. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the apical microleakage of MTA Fillapex, , and Endofill sealers using dye penetration method. Material and Methods: In this in vitro study, 72 single-rooted extracted human teeth were selected. The teeth were randomly divided into three experimental groups of 20 and two positive and negative control groups of 6. The canals were prepared by step-back technique and then filled with gutta-percha and one of the sealers mentioned. In the positive control group, the canals were filled with gutta-percha without sealer, and in the negative control group, the canals were prepared but not filled. The teeth were immersed in 2% methylene blue dye for 72 hours. The teeth were then cut longitudinally and the level of dye penetration was measured under a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed by SPSS ver. 19 software, ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests. Results: The mean level of dye penetration in the Endofill test group was significantly higher than that in the  and MTA Fillapex test groups. While, the observed difference between  and MTA Fillapex groups was not statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that  and MTA Fillapex sealers did not show any significant difference in apical seal properties. However, their sealing strength was significantly greater than Endofill sealer.KeywordsAH26 sealer; Endofill; MTA Fillapex; Microleakag