Apical microleakage in root canals obturated with lateral compaction, warm vertical compaction and Gutta-Flow techniques (in vitro study)

The sealing ability of root canal filling materials is crucial to the goal ofpreventing reinfection via microleakage of microorganisms and their by-products.Thirty palatal canals of 12mm length from extracted upper first molars were selectedthen instrumented and divided into 3 groups. Group I was obturated with lateralcompaction technique, group II was obturated with warm vertical compactiontechnique and group III was obturated with Gutta-Flow system. Except for the apical2 mm, all other segments of roots for the 3 groups received two layers of nail varnishand immersed in a methylene blue 2% and stored at 37Cº for 30 days. Understereomicroscope liner dye leakage was measured. No statistical difference was foundbetween lateral compaction, warm vertical compaction and Gutta-Flow sealing ability.