Effect of moisture on the apical seal of root canal filling using Ketac-Endo and Grossman Sealer

Objectives:In this study, effect of moisture on the apical seal of root canal filling using Ketac-Endo and Grossman sealer was investigated. Methods: Sixty-six extracted single rooted human teeth were randomly divided into four experimental groups of 15 teeth each. 3 teeth from each group was kept as a control. After the anatomic crowns were removed at the cemento enamel junction, all the root canals were instrumented to a 55 K file. In two groups, the canals were moistured with 0.05 ml of 2.5% NaOCI, obturated using lateral condensation of gutta-percha with root canal sealers Ketac-Endo and Grossman. Other two groups were kept dry and filled as first two groups. The teeth were covered with nail varnish and sticky-wax to within 2 mm of the apical foramen and immersed in 2 % methylene blue for 2 days. After this period, the teeth were cleaned, washed and cut longitudinally. The leakage was determined at the steromicroscope. Results: Statistical evaluation of the data was showed significantly less apical leakage in the Ketac-Endo groups when compared to with Grossman group. (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference among the dry and moist groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Moisture had no effect on apical seal of the tested root canal sealers in this study.