Comparison of mineral trioxide aggregate [MTA] and zinc free amalgam as retrograde filling materials in the surgical endodontics

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to compare the success rate of root end filling material using mineral trioxide aggregate and zinc free amalgam in apicectomized teeth. In the present study, [30 patients having previously failed or incomplete endodontic treatment]. The sample was divided into 2 groups, 1st group was treated with MTA root end filling, while the 2nd group was treated with Zinc free amalgam. The patients were followed up for one year to assess the periapical area both clinically and radiographically. There was no significant difference between the success rates of MTA treated group and that of zinc free amalgam treated group, although MTA has a higher success rate than amalgam treated group in some other studies. The success rate of MTA treated group was [86.6%], and of zinc free amalgam treated group was [66.6%]. It was concluded that MTA can be a good alternative to amalgam as a retro grade filling material, but amalgam is inexpensive, easily available and most of the dentists are familiar with its use