Objective: This study was performed to determine in vitro the short- and long-term sealing ability of a recently developed silicon-based root canal filling material (Gutta-Flow).
Study design: Sixty human upper central incisors were divided into 3 groups (n = 20). The root canals were instrumented and obturated with laterally compacted gutta-percha and AH26 sealer (group 1), continuous-wave thermal compaction (System B technique) and AH26 sealer (group 2), and Gutta-Flow technique (group 3). Leakage along entire root canal fillings was measured by the movement of an air bubble in a micropipette connected to the experimental root using a fluid-transport model. Short-term leakage measurements were carried out for 3 hours after 24 hours of equilibrium establishment. Leakage was measured again and at 3, 6, and 12 months after the initial measurement.
Results: At the 3-hour measurement, no significant differences were found among the 3 experimental groups. Long-term leakage measurements showed that at 3 and 6 months no significant differences were existed between Gutta-Flow and the other 2 techniques. However, at 12 months, root canal fillings with Gutta-Flow leaked significantly less than fillings of lateral compaction and System B technique.
Conclusions: Gutta-Flow technique showed a similar sealing ability to either lateral compaction or System B technique. This comparison improved significantly over time. These findings may be related to the possible expanding capacity of the material and the partial dissolution of the sealer over time in the other 2 groups.