ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epical sealing quality by using a dentin bonding agent as a root canal sealer with the single cone gutta-percha obturation technique. 36 single rooted human mandibular premolars with straight canals were collected. Ten canals in group 1 were prepared with standard technique and were obturated with Tubliseal EWT and a single cone of gutta-percha. Ten canals in group 2 were prepared and obturated with the same techniques. Ten canals in group 3 were prepared with step back technique and were obturated with Tubliseal EWT and lateral condensation technique. The remaining six teeth were selected as negative and positive controls. All the specimens were allowed to set for 48 hours in 100% humidity at 37°C. Dye penetration technique was used to evaluate the apical seal quality. The groups were compared for differences in the amount of dye leakage. The mean and standard deviation of dye penetration were 5.01 +/- 2.101, 3.04 +/- 0.789, 2.49 +/- 1.379 mm in groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. It was shown that average dye penetration in group 1 was significantly more than groups 2 and 3. The lateral condensation technique as well as single cone technique with a dentin bonding agent as a sealer yielded almost similar sealing abilities without any significant differences in the amount of dye leakage