An in vitro assessment of apical microleakage in root canals obturated with gutta-flow, resilon, thermafil and lateral condensation: A stereomicroscopic study

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the apical microleakage of Resilon to Thermafil, Gutta-flow and Cold lateral condensation using a dye penetration method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty extracted human maxillary single rooted teeth with intact roots were selected. Decoronation was followed by canal preparation upto ISO size 50. Teeth were then randomly divided into four groups for obturation. Group I – Cold lateral condensation with AH Plus, Group II – Gutta-flow with master cone, Group III– Thermafil with AH Plus, Group IV– Resilon with Self-etch epiphany. Apical microleakage was assessed by dye penetration test under stereomicroscope. RESULT: The result was analyzed statistically and showed that Resilon provides a best seal. Gutta-flow exhibited maximum microleakage. All the four groups at some level or the other exhibited some percentage of microleakage. CONCLUSIONS: None of the methods showed a fluid-tight seal.