High-pressure Fluid Filtration and sealing ability of Endodontic cements

Objectives: This study compare the sealing ability of three mineral cements used as apical plug or as unique filling material using a high-pressure fluid filtration system. Methods: Thirty single-rooted teeth were used in this study. The specimens were endodontically treated and the root end was prepared. The specimens were divided into six groups (n=5). Portland, Gray-MTA and CAC (Calcium Aluminate Cement) were used to make plugs in the apical 5mm of the root canal or to fill the root canals completely. Two layers of nail varnish were applied onto external root surfaces. The specimens were glued to Perspex supports (2x2x0.5cm) and attached via polyethylene tubing to the filtration system. The latter, was connected to a water reservoir inside a modified pressure device. Nitrogen gas was employed for delivering a pressure of 10psi to force the water apically within the root filling. Quantification of the fluid flow (µLmin^-1) was performed by monitoring the displacement of a water bubble introduced into a glass capillary tube during a 10-minute period at different time-intervals (30 min, 1h, 3h and 24h). The mean of fluid flow, generated at 10psi (i.e.703 cm of water pressure), was expressed as the hydraulic conductance (µLmin^-1cm-H2O^-1). Comparisons between the mean filtration values of the different cements at the different times were performed (p<0.05). Results: mean (SD) values (µLmin^-1cm-H2O^-1) for each group are shown in the table. The values with the same superscript upper letter showed no statistically significant difference between total leakages (p<0.05). Different materials vs. equivalent interval-time: similar superscript number indicated no statistically significant(p<0.05). Same materials vs. different interval-time: similar superscript lower case letter indicated no statistically significant(p<0.05) Conclusions: High-pressure fluid filtration system is a suitable method to evaluate and compare the sealing ability of endodontics mineral cements