Comparative investigation of marginal adaptation of four root-end filling materials: a scanning electron microscopic study

To date, several materials have been used for root end filling in endodontic surgery. Optimal properties of MTA in invitro and invivo studies has been proven. On the other hand, based on some of the studies, Root MTA (Iranian MTA) and Portland cement are similar to MTA in physical and biologic properties. The aim of this investigation was to assess the marginal adaptation of Gray Pro root MTA, White Pro root MTA, Root MTA and Portland cement Type I root-end fillings under scanning electron microscope. Methods & Materials: Eighty extracted single-rooted teeth were selected. After canal preparation and root-end resection, root-end cavities were prepared ultrasonically. They were divided at random into four test groups of 20 each. The cavities were filled with Gray & White Pro root MTA, Root MTA and Portland cement. The root-end surface topographies were reproduced by means of polyvinylsiloxane impressions and epoxy resin replicas. Then scanning electron micrography (SEM) images of each replica were taken. The material-tooth interface on each photograph was divided into 16 equidistant areas and maximum gap size was recorded in each area. The means of 16 numbers of each photographs was calculated. The means of calculated numbers related to each group were counted. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA test. Gap sizes at calculated points were smallest in Portland cement root-end fillings and largest in White Pro root MTA group. Calculated gap sizes for White Pro root MTA, Root MTA and Gray Pro root MTA and Portland cement group were subsequently 16.3975, 15.4185, 12.8880 and 11.3150 μm. Portland cement produced a significantly superior marginal adaptation to Root MTA and White Pro root MTA, and the gap size in Gray Pro root MTA group was significantly smaller than White Pro root MTA (P<0.0001). under this study, the marginal adaptation of both Portland cement and Root MTA was good. After performing more invitro and invivo studies we hope to use Portland cement, which is very economic. Keywords: