In vitro sealing ability of white and gray mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and white Portland cement used as apical plugs

Abstract

This study evaluated the sealing ability of apical plugs made of white and gray MTA-Angelus® and white Portland cement placed via the root canal and having different thicknesses (2, 5 and 7 mm). Ninety extracted human single-rooted teeth were instrumented using a size 40 K-file to standardize the foraminal opening by the stepback technique. The teeth were assigned to 3 groups (n=30), according to the material used for fabrication of the apical plugs: A = gray MTA; B = white MTA; C = white Portland cement. The groups were subdivided into groups of 10 teeth each according to the apical plug thickness (2, 5 and 7 mm). Marginal apical dye leakage was assessed using 0.2% Rhodamine B solution in which the specimens were immersed for 72 hours at 37°C. The roots were sectioned longitudinally in a buccolingual direction for apical plug exposure, and digital photographs were taken and analyzed by Image Tool image-analysis software. Data were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests. Significance level was set at 5%. The least percent leakage was observed for 5- and 7-mm-thick plugs (p<0.05). No significant difference (p>0.05) was found between gray MTA and white Portland cement. Among the three materials analyzed, white MTA presented the highest marginal leakage (p<0.05). The findings of the present study showed that gray MTA and Portland cement had better sealing ability than white MTA when used as apical plugs. Dye leakage was smaller for 5- and 7-mm-thick plugs compared to 2-mm-thick plugs.

Evaluation of Portland cement insertion techniques for apical plug confection in teeth with open apex

“…The lentulo drill (Group III), at low speed, can also be used. It is usually introduced 3 mm from the root apex, 14 and, in this study, it reached satisfactory results in 60% of apical plugs. The technique using the well-known and accessible gutta-percha cone (Group I), in which PC was inserted into the root apex by increments formed from the immersion of the tip of the gutta-percha cone in distilled water and then in powder, proved to be efficient in filling (80%).…”

“…12 Insertion and condensation of material is difficult due to the small diameter of the root canal in relation to the diameter of the instruments. The most common tools used for insertion include mini amalgam carrier or MTA applicator, both of which are similar in shape and diameter, 13 lentulo drill, 14 condenser, 15 system of large bore needle 16 and gutta-percha cone. The material can be condensed in the root apex by means of a file involved in cotton, 14 sterile paper cone, 16 gutta-percha cone, 17 condensers 15 and indirect use of ultrasound.…”

“…The most common tools used for insertion include mini amalgam carrier or MTA applicator, both of which are similar in shape and diameter, 13 lentulo drill, 14 condenser, 15 system of large bore needle 16 and gutta-percha cone. The material can be condensed in the root apex by means of a file involved in cotton, 14 sterile paper cone, 16 gutta-percha cone, 17 condensers 15 and indirect use of ultrasound. 12 The objective of this study was to assess radiographically the quality of level and filling of an apical plug by means of different techniques for inserting PC.…”

Influence of post types and sizes on fracture resistance in the immature tooth model

“…20,21) Portland cement and MTA are similar in chemical compositions, sealing ability and solubility. 22) Also, the compressive elastic modulus of Portland cement is up to that of dentin. 8) Therefore, MTA can be replaced with Portland cement in experimental study.…”

Avaliação da infiltração marginal dos materiais MTA, Cimento de Portland e Ionômero de Vidro empregados em obturações retrógadas

“…O método utilizado para observar a infiltração apical foi o da penetração de corante, porque é uma téc-nica considerada confiável, válida e simples (1,3,(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). O corante rodamina B a 0,2% foi escolhido porque não se descolore em pH alcalino como o azul de metileno (3,9).…”