Biomaterial Database

Diminished leakage along root canals filled with gutta-percha without sealer over time: a laboratory study. 2000

M K Wu, and B Fan, and P R Wesselink

Department of Cariology Endodontology Pedodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands. M.Wu@acta.nl

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term seal of gutta-percha (GP) without sealer. METHODS Extracted human maxillary central incisors were prepared and obturated using heat- or chloroform-softened GP only, or GP in combination with a root canal sealer. Leakage along root fillings was measured at 48 h and after a period of 6 months using a fluid transport model. RESULTS At 48 h the GP-filled roots without sealer leaked more than the control roots filled with GP and sealer (P < 0.0001). At 6 months a significant reduction in leakage was found in the GP-only groups (P < 0.05 for both heat- and chloroform-softened GP). After 6 months, roots filled by vertical condensation of GP-only had similar leakage as vertically condensed GP with a sealer (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The long-term seal of root fillings is affected by the volume change of both GP and sealer. Leakage reduction due to expansion of GP may compensate to a certain extent for leakage that may occur from sealer dissolution.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007180	Incisor	Any of the eight frontal teeth (four maxillary and four mandibular) having a sharp incisal edge for cutting food and a single root, which occurs in man both as a deciduous and a permanent tooth. (Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p820)	Incisors
D008437	Maxilla	One of a pair of irregularly shaped bones that form the upper jaw. A maxillary bone provides tooth sockets for the superior teeth, forms part of the ORBIT, and contains the MAXILLARY SINUS.	Maxillae,Maxillary Bone,Bone, Maxillary,Bones, Maxillary,Maxillary Bones,Maxillas
D008709	Methenamine	An anti-infective agent most commonly used in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Its anti-infective action derives from the slow release of formaldehyde by hydrolysis at acidic pH. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p173)	Hexamethylenetetramine,Hexamine,Aminoform,Hexamine Silver,Methenamine Silver,Silver Methenamine,Urotropin,Methenamine, Silver,Silver, Hexamine,Silver, Methenamine
D001729	Bismuth	A metallic element that has the atomic symbol Bi, and atomic number 83. Its principal isotope is Bismuth 209.
D002126	Calcium Hydroxide	A white powder prepared from lime that has many medical and industrial uses. It is in many dental formulations, especially for root canal filling.	Hydroxide, Calcium
D003763	Dental Leakage	The seepage of fluids, debris, and micro-organisms between the walls of a prepared dental cavity and the restoration.	Dental Leakages,Leakage, Dental,Leakages, Dental
D004338	Drug Combinations	Single preparations containing two or more active agents, for the purpose of their concurrent administration as a fixed dose mixture.	Drug Combination,Combination, Drug,Combinations, Drug
D004853	Epoxy Resins	Polymeric resins derived from OXIRANES and characterized by strength and thermosetting properties. Epoxy resins are often used as dental materials.	Epoxy Resin,Resin, Epoxy,Resins, Epoxy
D006171	Gutta-Percha	Coagulated exudate isolated from several species of the tropical tree Palaquium (Sapotaceae). It is the trans-isomer of natural rubber and is used as a filling and impression material in dentistry and orthopedics and as an insulator in electronics. It has also been used as a rubber substitute.	Thermafil,Guttapercha,Ultrafil,Gutta Percha
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man