The sealing ability of resilon and gutta-parcha following different smear layer removal methods: an ex vivo study.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to compare the ex-vivo sealing ability of Resilon/new Epiphany (SE) sealer to that of gutta-percha/AH-Plus following smear layer removal with EDTA or MTAD. STUDY DESIGN One hundred extracted single-rooted human teeth were divided into 4 experimental groups and 2 positive and negative control groups. EDTA was used in groups 1 and 2. In groups 3 and 4 MTAD was used. The root canals were then obturated with gutta-percha/AH-Plus in groups 1 and 3 and Resilon/Epiphany (SE) in groups 2 and 4. After sterilization, the samples were coronally exposed to human saliva and monitored every 24 hours for 60 days. RESULTS In groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, 45%, 65%, 90%, and 65% of specimens leaked within 60 days, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between group 1 and 3 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Resilon/Epiphany (SE) system is as effective as gutta-percha/AH-Plus in preventing saliva leakage. MTAD did not adversely affect the sealing ability of Resilon/Epiphany (SE).