The Effect of Two Post-Space Preparation Techniques on the Seal of Resilon and Gutta-Percha Obturation Materials

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to compare the effect of post space preparation with Gates Glidden drills or hand files on the sealing ability of gutta-percha or Resilon obturation materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS One-hundred and four single-rooted human teeth were instrumented and divided into four experimental groups (n=21 each) and two groups of positive and negative control (n=10). Forty-two roots of experimental groups were obturated with gutta-percha and Dorifill sealer; and 42 roots with Resilon/Epiphany self-etch using lateral compaction technique. Each gutta-percha or Resilon group was divided into two subgroups (n=21) and post-space prepared with either Gates Glidden drills or hand files and chloroform. After post space preparation, 5 mm of apical gutta-percha or Resilon was left intact. The whole system was sterilized with gamma-rays. Saliva leakage was tested using a split-chamber model. Specimens were monitored every 24 hours for 30 days. The data were analyzed using log-rank test and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the sealing ability of gutta-percha and Resilon. Furthermore, no significant difference was found between two different methods of post space preparation (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Under the limitations of this ex vivo study, there were no significant differences between the sealing ability of Resilon and gutta-percha after post space preparation using Gates Glidden drills or hand files with the aid of chloroform.