Comparison of Microleakage of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Apical Plug Applied by the Manual Technique and Indirect Use of Ultrasonic with Different Powers

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: A mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) apical plug is commonly applied prior to endodontic treatment of open-apex teeth. However, difficult application and condensation of MTA in the apical region is a drawback of this technique. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the microleakage of MTA apical plug applied by the manual technique and indirect use of ultrasonic with different powers. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this in vitro, experimental study, divergent open apices were created in 48 single-rooted, single-canal teeth using ProFile. The teeth were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n=10). All groups received 5-mm thick MTA apical plug at the apical region using one of the following methods. In group 1, MTA was manually condensed while in groups 2-4, indirect ultrasonic energy with minimum, medium, and maximum power levels was used for MTA plug condensation. After setting of MTA, the apical microleakage of the MTA plug was quantified using the fluid filtration method. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p< 0.05). RESULTS: Significant differences were noted in microleakage of MTA plug between the manual group and ultrasonic groups with medium (p= 0.043) and maximum (p= 0.029) power levels. No significant difference was noted in microleakage of other groups (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: Considering the current results, it seems that application of MTA with indirect ultrasonic energy at medium or high power level would decrease the microleakage of MTA plug in open-apex root canals.