Effect of internal matrices of hydroxyapatite and calcium sulfate on the sealing ability of mineral trioxide aggregate and light cured glass ionomer cement

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of hydroxyapatite (HA) and calcium sulfate (CS) on the sealing ability of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and light cured glass ionomer cement (LC GIC) when used to repair furcation perforations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 70 human molars. Sixty teeth with furcal perforations were randomly divided into six groups of 10 teeth each and repaired with MTA or LC GIC either alone or over an internal matrix, i.e., CS or HA. Access openings were filled with composite resin. Five teeth with unrepaired perforations were used as positive controls and five teeth without perforations were used as negative controls. The teeth were immersed in a solution of 2% methylene blue dye for 2 weeks. The samples were then sectioned and evaluated for linear dye leakage and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: MTA showed the best sealing ability followed by LC GIC, MTA + CS, MTA + HA, LC GIC + CS and LC GIC + HA. CONCLUSION: Neither of the two internal matrices improved the sealing ability of the repair materials used.