an in-vitro evaluation of sealing ability of real seal using fluid filtration

introduction: the aim of this study was to compare the sealing ability of real seal (rs) and gutta-percha (gp). materials and methods: forty nine extracted human maxillary central incisors were used. the coronal part of each tooth was removed; the root canal was prepared using the crown down technique and apical enlargement to rotary file # 40. the specimens were randomly divided in to 3 groups of 15 each and two control groups of 2 each. group 1, was obturated with rs and group 2 and 3 were obturated with gp and ah26 sealer by lateral condensation technique. in group 1 and 3 the smear layer was removed by 5ml of 5.25% naocl and 3ml of 17% edta. leakage of the obturated roots was measured using the fluid filtration technique. this method was done at 2 min intervals for 8 min. data were analyzed using anova and tukey tests. results: statistical analysis indicated significant differences between groups 2 with 1 and 3. the most leakage value was observed in the group 2. conclusion: root canal filling with rs or gp in combination with smear layer removal showed better sealing. therefore the smear layer has more effect one apical leakage than the obturation system.