Evaluation of the Quality of Obturation with Obtura at Different Sizes of Apical Preparation Through Microleakage Testing.

INTRODUCTION: Obturation of the root canal system is required to prevent recontamination of the root canal after cleaning and shaping procedures and to seal the root canal completely, both the apical and coronal avenues of potential leakage and to maintain the disinfected status.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the microleakage by dye leakage method at 1mm, 3mm and 5mm short of the apex with different sizes of apical preparation, obturated by Obtura.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty freshly extracted human single rooted teeth were randomly distributed into six equal groups. Group I (control group) was obturated by lateral compaction technique. Group II to VI were experimental groups (apical preparations done upto ISO sizes 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 respectively), obturated by Obtura technique. After storing the samples at 100% humidity for seven days and one day in 2% methylene blue, the roots of the teeth were sectioned at 3mm short of the apex. They were observed under stereomicroscope at 20X magnification and the images were analysed for microleakage using the scoring criteria. The data obtained were analysed by One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey pair-wise multiple comparison test and p ≤ 0.05 was considered as the level of significance.

RESULTS: The lowest mean microleakage score was seen in Group VI (0) and the highest mean leakage score was seen in Group II (1.5). There was statistically significant difference between Group II and Group V (p = 0.044), Group II and Group VI (p = 0.013). There was no significant difference between all the other groups (p> 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Comparison of microleakage between different groups from ISO sizes 20-60 recommends a minimum apical preparation of ISO size 30.