The correlation between fluid transport and push-out strength in root canals filled with a methacrylate-based filling material

AimTo investigate the correlation between fluid transport and dislocation resistance in canals filled with a methacrylate-based filling material. MethodologyThe root canals in sixty-five single-rooted human teeth were prepared to size 40, 0.06 taper. Sixty roots were filled with a single-cone technique using RealSeal SE sealer and divided into 3 groups, whilst five roots served as fluid transport positive control. Group 1 (n=20): correlation group. Specimens were consecutively tested with fluid transport for 90min and thereafter with the push-out test at coronal and apical root levels. Group 2 (n=20): push-out control. Specimens were only subjected to the push-out test at coronal and apical root levels. Group 3 (n=20): fluid transport negative control. Specimens were totally covered with nail varnish. The correlation between fluid transport and dislocation resistance was assessed by Kendall's tau-b coefficient. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare dislocation resistance between groups 1 and 2 and fluid transport between groups 1 and 3. Significance level was set at P<0.05. ResultsKendall's tau-b correlation coefficients between fluid transport and dislocation resistance were weak, being coronally 0.139 (P=0.444) and apically -0.080 (P=0.658). No significant difference in dislocation resistance could be detected between groups 1 and 2 at both root levels (P=0.052 and P=0.336, respectively). ConclusionNo significant correlation could be identified between fluid transport and dislocation resistance, meaning that the corono-apical sealing ability of a methacrylate-based root canal filling is independent of its adhesive properties as indicated by its dislocation resistance.