In vitro microleakage evaluation of bioceramic and zinc-eugenol sealers with two obturation techniques

Aim of the study is to compare the quality of the apical seal offered by a zinc-eugenol and a tricalcium-silicate-based sealer, both used with the single-cone or with the continuous wave of condensation technique. Forty central incisors were divided into four groups (n = 10), according to the two sealers and the two obturation techniques under investigation, and their outer surface was isolated with nail varnish. After endodontic treatment, samples were immersed in methylene blue dye for 72 h, then included in self-curing resin and sectioned to longitudinally expose the canal apical third. The depth of dye penetration was measured in each group. Mean values were compared by two-way-ANOVA test. Multiple comparisons were performed by Tukey test. The level of significance was set at 0.05 in all tests. The continuous wave of condensation technique led to reduced microleakage. Moreover, dye penetration values were reduced for the tricalcium-silicate sealer. In terms of microleakage, the warm continuous wave of condensation technique seems promising even when combined to a bioceramic sealer.