Evaluation of the dentinal wall adaptation ability of MTA Fillapex using stereo electron microscope

BACKGROUND: An ideal root canal obturation requires a complete dentinal wall adaptation of sealer and Gutta-percha combinations without any gap formations. AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the dentinal wall adaptation ability of MTA Fillapex root canal sealer using stereo electron microscope (SEM). METHODS: Twenty-four, single-rooted, human maxillary incisor teeth were used. All canals were prepared with a rotary nickel–titanium (Ni–Ti) instrument to a size F3 file. Teeth divided into two equal groups and one of the experimental groups was filled with AH Plus, and the other group was filled with MTA Fillapex using Gutta-percha single cone as a core material. The roots were prepared for SEM evaluation, and serial scanning electron photomicrographs were taken at ×50, ×100, ×500, and ×1000 magnifications. The gaps between the root canal sealer and canal walls were detected and measured in coronal, middle, and apical thirds. For each section, the highest value among the detected gap formations was recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Mann–Whitney U-test, Freidman, and Wilcoxon tests were used. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed no significant difference between two sealers in terms of gap formation (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MTA Fillapex has a similar dentinal wall adaptation ability as AH Plus does.