COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF APICAL MICROLEAKAGE AND DENTIN–SEALER INTERFACIAL ADAPTATION OF AH PLUS AND DIA-PROSEAL: AN IN VITRO STUDY

Abstract

Sealing of the apex and sealers that fit close to dentin are paramount in the success of endodontics in the long term and in preventing microleakage. This study compared the ability of the apical sealing ability and the dentin-sealer interfacial adaptation of AH Plus and Dia-ProSeal. In the present in vitro study, the number of extracted single-rooted mandibular premolars was 90. Sixty specimens were assigned for dye-penetration analysis, which included the groups of AH Plus, Dia-ProSeal, positive-control and negative-control. The remaining 30 specimens were equally split and evaluated using scanning electron microscopy for dentin–sealer adaptation. Lateral condensation was used to prepare, irrigate and obturate the root canals. Apical leakage was evaluated by using 2% methylene blue dye and stereomicroscopy, whereas Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate interfacial gaps in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's post hoc test and independent-samples t-tests were performed to analyse the data. AH Plus showed significantly lower mean dye penetration than Dia-ProSeal (0.95 ± 0.13 mm vs. 1.38 ± 0.12 mm; p < 0.001). SEM analysis also revealed significantly smaller apical, middle, and coronal interfacial gaps for AH Plus (P<0.001). The greatest differences occurred apically for both sealers, and the smallest differences occurred coronally. Under the experimental conditions, AH Plus showed the best apical sealing ability and dentin modification compared to Dia-ProSeal.