Comparison of the apical seal on filled root canals with Topseal® vs MTA Fillapex® sealers: A quantitative scintigraphic analysis

This study investigated the microleakage of two different root canal obturation systems, using the nuclear medicine approach, with sodium pertechnetate Tc. Twenty six single-rooted extracted teeth were selected. The crowns were sectioned to obtain 15 mm long root segments and each tooth was prepared using rotary ProFile instruments. The roots were divided into 2 experimental groups and two control groups. Twenty root canals were filled, using Thermafil and Topseal or MTA Fillapex as a sealer. On the 7th and the 28th day the apices were submersed in a solution of Tc-Pertechnetate during 3 hours. The radioactivity was counted using a gamma camera. Although apical leakage on the 7th day in the Topseal group was reduced compared with RealSeal1, with a statistical significant difference (p = 0.057), on the 28th day, the MTA Fillapex increased the sealing properties (p = 0.017).