[In vitro evaluation of the sealing ability of an iodoform-calcium phosphorate cement root canal filler].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the sealing ability of an injectable iodoform-calcium phosphate cement(CPC) root canal filler in vitro. METHODS: Sixty-two single-rooted human extracted teeth were selected and root canals were instrumented to 40# with K file. Fifty-eight teeth were randomly divided into two experimental groups. The root canals were filled by lateral condensation of gutta-purcha with iodoform-CPC or zinc-oxide-eugenol-iodoform paste used as sealer respectively. Other four teeth were used as control. When the sealer was solidified, the apical portion of tooth was soaked into 2% methylene blue for 6 days. After the tooth was longitudinally sectioned, the dye length was measured for apical microleakage.The data obtained were analysed with group t test. RESULTS: The average microleakage in iodoform-CPC group(8.400mm) was significantly larger than that in the control group(5.300mm), P=0.021. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that iodoform-CPC does not provide a sealing ability as good as zinc-oxide-eugenol-iodoform paste in vitro.