A comparative evaluation of the sealing ability of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, High Copper Silver Amalgam, Conventional Glass Ionomer Cement, and Glass Cermet as root end filling materials by dye penetration method

Objective: The Purpose of this investigation was to assess the effectiveness of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate in providing an apical seal in comparison with High Copper Silver Amalgam, Conventional Glass Ionomer Cement Type 2, and Glass Cermet cement by using a dye penetration method. Methods: The root canals of seventy extracted teeth were instrumented and obturated with gutta-percha. Each tooth was apically resected and the apex was prepared ultrasonically to 3mm depth. Teeth were divided randomly into four groups of 15 each. First group was retro filled with high copper silver amalgam, second group with conventional glass ionomer cement type 2, third group with ketac silver and the fourth group with mineral trioxide aggregate. Following immersion in India Ink the roots were demineralised and the depth of dye penetration was evaluated by a stereomicroscope at 12× magnification. Results: 66.7% of the specimens filled with High Copper Silver Amalgam, 46.7% of the specimens filled with Ketac Silver, and 20% of the specimens filled with Conventional Glass Ionomer showed severe dye leakage (more than 3mm). None of the specimens in group 1V (Mineral Trioxide Aggregate) showed PISSN