review of root-end filling materials

background and aim: the main goal of endodontic treatments is eliminating the etiologic factors of pulpal and periapical diseases as well as maintaining this condition via providing a hermetic seal between periodontium and root canal system. if these were not possible through orthograde approach, periradicular surgery and root-end filling are indicated. review of literature: different materials have been used as root-end fillings. amalgam, in 1884, and some other materials were used thereafter for root-end filling. a search in medical data bank provides hundreds of articles related to endodontic surgeries and root-end filling materials however, there are less than 10 review articles which compare these materials and also there is just one systematic review in this field. additionally, there is no meta-analysis with reference to this subject due to scarcity of randomized clinical trials. in this article, we focus on favorable properties of root-end fillings as well as introducing different types of these materials and the ideal choice for endodontic surgeries. conclusion: dentists should be informed about different properties of an ideal root-end filling so that they can choose and utilize a favorable material in endodontic surgeries. since the histological evidences declare successful treatment results for mta and cem cement, due to cementogenesis over their surfaces, these biomaterials are recommended for clinical use.j dent sch 2010 28(2): 7