ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate in vitro the influence of root-end resection and root-end cavity preparation on leakage of root filled teeth. METHODOLOGY: The root canals of 48 roots, 16 mandibular premolars (G1), 16 mandibular incisors (G2) and 16 maxillary incisors (G3), 12 mm in length, were enlarged using a modified 'balanced force' technique and filled with gutta-percha and sealer using lateral compaction. After setting, leakage along the canal was measured using a fluid transport model. Root-end resection and root-end cavity preparation were then performed, leaving roots 10 mm in length with root fillings of 7 mm (groups R1, R2 and R3, respectively). Fluid transport was measured again along the remaining root fillings of all groups using the same experimental conditions. Results of leakage before and after root-end resection were analysed statistically using the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: A total of 31% of the roots leaked before and 54% after root-end preparation; the difference was significantly different (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found either among groups G1, G2, G3 (P = 0.565) or among groups R1, R2, R3 (P =0.2628). Significant differences, however, were shown between groups G1-R1 (P = 0.0053), G2-R2 (P =0.0089) and G3-R3 (P = 0.0461). CONCLUSIONS: Root-end resection and root-end cavity preparation compromised the seal of 7 mm root fillings in all tooth groups. Increased leakage was recorded in the following order: mandibular incisors > mandibular premolars > maxillary incisors.
