Comparative evaluation of sealing ability of mineral tri-oxide aggregate with intact, removed and modified smear layer: An in vitro study

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the sealing ability of mineral tri-oxide aggregate (MTA) with intact, removed, and modified smear layer. 5.2% sodium hypochlorite was used for irrigation to keep smear layer intact, 17% ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) followed by 5.2% sodium hypochlorite was used to remove the smear layer and 30% potassium oxalate was used for its modification. Materials and Methods: A total of 112 intact single canaled mandibular premolar teeth were selected for the study. Roots were separated from the crown portion. All 112 roots were then randomly placed into one of five groups: Three experimental groups of 28 roots each, one group of 14 roots (negative control), and one group of 14 roots (positive control). All specimens were immersed in 1% methylene blue dye for 72 h and viewed microscopically. The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA test and unpaired Student′s t-test. Results: When group 1a was compared with 2a and 3a, there was a statistically significant difference (P 0.05) when 1a and 3a were compared. When groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were compared irrespective of the subgroups, the results were statistically significant (P < 0.05) between 1 and 2, 1 and 4, 1 and 5, 2 and 3, 2 and 4, 2 and 5, 3 and 4, 3 and 5, and 4 and 5. Conclusion: About 5.2% sodium hypochlorite and MTA produced less leakage than 17% EDTA, followed by 5.2% sodium hypochlorite but more than 30% potassium oxalate.

Keywords

• Modified smear layer, mineral tri-oxide aggregate, potassium oxalate, sodium hypochlorite