Sealing Ability of Biomaterials as Apical Plug, A Literature Review

Endodontic management of the teeth with immature apices and necrotic pulps has always been challenging. Therefore fabrication of an artificial hard tissue barrier with a biomaterial has indicated as an alternative to more traditional apexification procedure. Successful endodontic treatment needs to prevent leakage of intracanal irritants into the peri radicular tissues. On the other hand, achieving an ideal tight seal in teeth with open apices is hard if not impossible. To reach this goal placement of a biomaterial with good sealing properties is suggested in such cases. The aim of this study is to review on sealing ability of biomaterials as apical plug. The resources were PubMed, and Google Scholar, using different keyword combinations including ‘immature tooth’, ‘open apex’, ‘sealing ability’, ‘micro leakage’, ‘endodontic’ ‘CEM cement’, ‘apical plug’, ‘calcium silicate’, ‘Endocem’, ‘portland cement’, ‘MTA’ and ‘bio dentine’. All biomaterials used in apexification may leak in different concentrations. Because of the importance of apical seal on long-term success in endodontically treated immature teeth these materials should be applied carefully. The need for more research in this field and introduce new biomaterials with improved sealing ability is evident.