Diminished leakage along root canals filled with gutta-percha without sealer over time: a laboratory study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term seal of gutta-percha (GP) without sealer.

METHODOLOGY: Extracted human maxillary central incisors were prepared and obturated using heat- or chloroform-softened GP only, or GP in combination with a root canal sealer. Leakage along root fillings was measured at 48 h and after a period of 6 months using a fluid transport model.

RESULTS

At 48 h the GP-filled roots without sealer leaked more than the control roots filled with GP and sealer (P < 0.0001). At 6 months a significant reduction in leakage was found in the GP-only groups (P < 0.05 for both heat- and chloroform-softened GP). After 6 months, roots filled by vertical condensation of GP-only had similar leakage as vertically condensed GP with a sealer (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term seal of root fillings is affected by the volume change of both GP and sealer. Leakage reduction due to expansion of GP may compensate to a certain extent for leakage that may occur from sealer dissolution.