A comparison of three different root canal sealers when used to obturate a moisture-contaminated root canal system.

Sealing ability of three classes of endodontic sealers, in moisture-contaminated canals, was evaluated. A total of 120 single-rooted extracted teeth were divided into three groups. The groups were obturated with either Procosol, Sealapex, or Ketac-Endo using saline as a moisture contaminant in all cases. Half (20 teeth) of each group was placed in a saline storage medium for 9 months. The remainder of the samples were placed in India ink, under a vacuum, cleared, and the amount of dye penetration measured under magnification. The stored samples were similarly treated after the 9-month storage period. In a moisture-contaminated canal, Procosol exhibited the least amount of apical leakage, followed by Sealapex, then Ketac-Endo. There was no significant difference in the amount of dye penetration after 9 months of storage over that found initially, which indicates that the deleterious effects of moisture contamination occur during the initial placement and setting reaction.