Sealing efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate with and without nanosilver for root end filling: An in vitro bacterial leakage study

BACKGROUND Various materials have been added to mineral trioxide aggregate to enhance its properties. This study was aimed to compare the sealing efficacy of MTA with and without nanosilver using bacterial leakage approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS Seventy canine teeth were prepared and obturated. Then, after apical resection, the root-end cavities were prepared by ultrasonic retrotips. Teeth were randomly divided into 4 groups containing two experimental groups (n=30) and two negative and positive controls (n=5). In group 1 and 2, root-end cavities were respectively filled with MTA and MTA with nanosilver (by 1% weight). Leakage assessment was carried out by bacterial leakage apparatus with Enterococcus faecalis species. Leakage comparison between experimental groups was done using Mann-Whitney test by Spss 16 software at significancy level of 0.05. RESULTS The median bacterial leakages for MTA and MTA with nanosilver were 19 and 2, respectively. The mean bacterial leakages for MTA and MTA with nanosilver were 30.06±28.67 and 9.66±14.25, respectively. Mann-Whitney test indicated that there was a significant difference in bacterial leakage day between two experimental groups (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS Based on the findings of this in-vitro bacterial leakage study, adding nanosilver to MTA decreased its sealing ability. Key words:Root canal therapy, root canal obturation, root canal filling materials, nanosilver, MTA.