Abstract
Background: Sealing ability is an essential factor for retrograde filling material in successful endodontic apical surgery. The aim of this
in vitro study was to evaluate dye microleakage of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) and Calcium Enriched Mixture (CEM cement) as root
end filling material.
Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare sealing ability of these two root end filling materials using the dye penetration
method.
Materials and Methods: Eighty-six single rooted teeth were randomly divided into two study (n = 40) groups and two positive and
negative control (n = 3) groups. After decoronation closely to the cementum enamel junction, the root canals were shaped by the crown
down technique and obturated by gutta-percha and AH26 sealer with the lateral condensation method. Furthermore, 3 mm of root ends
were resected and 3 mm root-end cavities were prepared by ultrasonic microsurgical tip. Root-end cavities were filled with each of the
mentioned materials. Methylene blue dye was used for determination of dye leakage. Chi-2 analysis and t-test were used to compare
groups.
Results: The mean apical penetration of dye in the MTA group was 0.94 mm while in the CEM cement group this was 1.17 mm. Eighty
percent of the MTA group and 75% of the CEM cement group didn’t have any dye leakage. The P level was greater than 0.05 (0.592).
Conclusions: There was no significant statistical difference between MTA and CEM cement in sealing ability (P > 0.05).