ABSTRACT
One of the main objectives of root canal treatment is to achieve a suitable and 3-dimensional seal in order to prevent tissue fluids and microorganisms from re-entering the root canal system. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of intracanal moisture on the apical seal during root canal obturation using Rosen and AH26 sealers. Sixty-four teeth were chosen according to the inclusion criteria: mature apices, straight canals, no intra/extra-resorption or calcification. The root canals were prepared and randomly divided into six groups, after removing the crowns. Two different sealers, AH26 and Rosen, were chosen and the teeth were filled using the lateral condensation technique in three different settings: dry canal, presence of blood and 2/5% hypoclorite in the canals. All specimens were immersed in methylene blue solution, rinsed throughly and dried. The roots were cut longitudinally into two halves. For dye volumetric measurements, all samples were immersed in 65% nitric acid and the volume of the penetrated dye was measured by a spectrophotometer. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare the leakage of the dye in the study groups. The amount of dye leakage was significantly lower in the AH26 groups [P<0.001]. There was no significant difference between the three clinical settings in the AH26 and Rosen groups [P=0.857]. If the basic obturation principles are carefully administered during root canal filling, intracanal moisture could not affect apical seal, especially when AH26 is employed as a sealer instead of Rosen