Introduction: Sealing ability of a retrograde filling material is an important factor for a successful endodontic apicoectomy. The purpose of this in-vitro study was to compare the sealing ability of calcium enriched mixture (CEM) cement versus amalgam as root-end filling materials. Methods: A total of 36 canals of extracted maxillary central incisors were instrumented and obturated using lateral compaction technique. The apical 3 mm of each root was resected and root-end prepared to a depth of 3mm. The teeth were randomly divided into two experimental groups of 15 teeth according to tested materials (Amalgam, CEM cement) and two negative and positive control groups of 3 teeth. Root-end cavities were restored with amalgam (group 1) or CEM (group 2). Sealing ability was evaluated by dye penetration method using Pelikan ink, and a stereomicroscope at x10 magnifications and 0. 01 mm accuracy. Data were analyzed by T-test and P<0. 05. Results: The mean linear dye microleakage for CEM cement and amalgam retrofilled groups were 2. 08 and 3. 77 mm, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p<0. 0001). Conclusion: under the condition of this in vitro study, CEM cement provides a better seal than amalgam when used as a retrograde filling material.

Background and Aim: There is a need for a material with high sealing ability to prevent bacterial and tissue secretions penetration in endodontic surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the microleakage of amalgam and MTA filling materials.Materials and Methods: Thirty-two single-rooted extracted human teeth were collected.Each tooth was apically resected and retroprepared to 3mm depth. Teeth were divided randomly into two groups of 13 teeth each. First group was retrofilled with amalgam and second group with MTA. All root surfaces, except the ending part, were covered with layers of nail polish. Following immersion in 2% methylene blue for 48 hours, the roots were sectioned and the depth of dye penetration was evaluated by computerized scanning and photoshop software. Results were evaluated by t-test.Results: It was shown that MTA microleakge was significantly less than that of amalgam.The mean dye penetrations of MTA and amalgam were 1.75mm and 3mm, respectively (pv=0.0001).Conclusion: The findings of the present study confirm the proper sealing ability of MTA.

Background & Aim: It is essential to use a reliable retrofill material in surgical endodontics in order to gain successful results. Past investigations showed that none of the available materials are ideal. Amalgam has been accepted as a retrofill material for many years. MTA has been suggested as a better replacement for amalgam recently. There has not been any report on MTA usage in human. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success of amalgam and MTA as a retrofill material.Method & Material: In order to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success of amalgam and MTA as a retrofill material we followed 56 patients (72 roots) who had received surgically retrofilled treatment during the past three years.Results: In respect to the standard criteria for success and failure related to endodontics we found that 84.3% (43 roots) of amalgam refrofilled roots and 71.4% (15 roots) of MTA were categorized as successful cases.5.9% (3 roots) with amalgam and 14.3%(3 roots) with MTA were classified as failure treatment. 9.8% (5 roots) with amalgam and 14.3% (3 roots) \\ith MTA were considered uncel1aincases.Statistical analysis using chi square test revealed that there was not any significant differences (P>0.05) between amalgam and MTA as a retrofill material.Conclusion: Further investigations need to carry out in order to compare the success and failure of MTA and anialgam in human. Our clinical study showed no significant difference between MTA and Amalgam as a retrofill material.

Objective: In a cavity prepared through endodontic surgery, application of a material to provide apical seal and prevent bacterial and tissue exudates is of great importance. The purpose of this study was to compare the sealing ability of Biocalex with white MTA, gray MTA, and amalgam as root-end fillings.Materials and Methods: Sixty-six single-rooted extracted human teeth were cleaned, shaped, and obturated with gutta-percha. The root apices were resected and 3 mm deep retrograde cavity was prepared. The teeth were assigned randomly into four groups of 15 teeth each and retrofilled with Biocalex, gray MTA, white MTA, and amalgam. Six teeth served as positive and negative controls. All root surfaces, except the ending part, were covered with two layers of nail polish. The roots were then stored in 2% methylene blue for 72 hours and embedded in polyester resin. The teeth were sectioned buccolingually and maximum extent of dye penetration was evaluated through a stereomicroscope. Statistical analysis was carried out by one way ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: Biocalex showed significantly less leakage compared to the other three materials P<0.05. White MTA showed significantly lower amount of leakage as Compared to gray MTA and amalgam P<0.05. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that retrograde filling with Biocalex can achieve proper sealing ability and this ma-terial can be used as an alternative for MTA and amalgam.

Introduction: For sealing a cavity prepared in endodontic surgery, there is a need for a material to obtain an apical seal and prevent bacterial and tissue exudates. The purpose of this study was to compare the sealing ability of Biocalex and white MTA as root-end fillings.Materials &Methods: In this invitro experimental study, 36 single-rooted extracted human adult teeth with minimum root curvature were cleaned, shaped and obturated with lateral condensation technique, 3 mm of the root apices were resected and a 3 mm deep retrograde cavity was prepared. Teeth were assigned randomly into two groups of 15 teeth each and retrofilled with Biocalex and White MTA. Three teeth served as positive and three teeth served as negative controls. All root surfaces, except the ending part, were covered with two layers of nail polish. Then the roots were stored in 2% methylene blue for 72 hours and then embedded in polyester resin. Next, they were sectioned buccolingually by diamond bur and maximum extent of dye penetration was evaluated through stereomicroscope.Statistical analysis was carried out by student t-test. The level of significance was set at 95%.Results: It was shown that retrofills with Biocalex had significantly less microleakage compared with white MTA.Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that retrograde filling with Biocalex can achieve proper sealing ability and can be used as an alternative for MTA (P<0.001).

Introduction: In cases of limited access to the surgical site, an alternative approach is to obturate the canal prior to surgery. Endodontic surgery is subsequently performed by root-end resection without retro-cavity preparation. This in vitro study was designed to compare the sealing ability of resected roots filled with either mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) or calcium enriched mixture (CEM) cement. Materials and Methods: Seventy maxillary anterior teeth were selected. Following canal preparation, the teeth were randomly divided into four experimental (n=15) and two control (n=5) groups. In Group 1, CEM cement was placed into the apical 6-mm of the canal. The remainder of the canal was filled with gutta-percha/AH26 and 3-mm root-ends were resected. In Group 2: the teeth were treated as described above except that MTA was used instead of CEM cement. Group 3: The canals were obturated with gutta-percha/AH26. After root-end resection, retro cavities were prepared and filled with CEM cement. Group 4: The teeth were treated as described for group 3 except that MTA was used instead of CEM cement. The root apices of teeth were then placed in India ink, and maximum dye penetration was measured with a stereomicroscope. Nested ANOVA and Independent samples t-test were used to evaluate the statistical significance.Results: The mean dye leakage values for groups 1 to 4 were 402.6, 526.4, 141.0, and 177.4, respectively. The retrofilled groups had less microleakage compared to the resected materials; in the CEM cement groups this was statistically significant (P<0.05), i.e. root-end resection had no significant influence on the sealing ability of MTA, but significantly increased the microleakage of CEM cement (P=0.017). Overall, CEM cement showed less microleakage compared to MTA, however the difference was not significant.Conclusion: Within the limitations of this dye leakage study, we can conclude that if limited access prohibits retrofill placement, MTA or CEM cement can be used to fill the canal prior to root-end resection; as they have similar sealing ability. However, further laboratory and clinical studies are required to evaluate this alternative method.