Influence of Different Thickness of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Resin Modified Glass Ionomer Cement and Intermediate Restorative Material on Sealing Ability of Root End Fillings

Abstract

Introduction: A wide variety of root end filling materials has been tried, though the biocompatibility and sealing ability have been always in question. Hence, the latest innovation towards better sealing materials like Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) and bone cement was discovered. However, in previous published research the thickness of the cements used for the study was an uncontrolled variable. Aim: To assess and compare the apical sealing ability of MTA Resin Modified Glass Ionomer Cement (RMGIC) and Intermediate Restorative Material (IRM) at three different thicknesses. Materials and Methods: In sixty three sound human maxillary anterior teeth, standard access cavities were prepared with diamond burs and were completed by using the step back technique; which were obturated with gutta-percha using a zinc oxide eugenol sealer by lateral condensation technique. Apical 3 mm of roots were resected. After root-end resection all teeth were randomly distributed into three groups consisting of 21 teeth in each group. Each group was divided into three sub-groups with seven teeth in each. Retrograde cavities of 4 mm, 3 mm, and 2 mm depths were prepared in resected root ends of all groups. Cavities were filled with MTA, RMGIC and IRM. Teeth were placed in 50% weight silver nitrate solution for an hour and were transversely sectioned at each mm with hard tissue microtome and examined under stereomicroscope at 30X magnification for microleakage. r esults: The study showed 2mm thickness of MTA, 3mm thickness of RMGIC and 4mm thickness of IRM is effective to prevent microleakage. IRM presented higher leakage than other materials, which was statistically significant (p<0.05) and best sealing abilities were obtained with MTA. The ascending order of microleakage was MTA<RMGIC<IRM with a least thickness of material. c onclusion: The minimal thickness with better sealing ability is ideal for sealing because of space constraint. So, the MTA is better agent compared to other two for sealing at periapical area.