Sealing ability of mineral trioxide aggregate and super-eba when used as furcation repair materials: A longitudinal study

Immediate sealing of furcation perforations enhances the repair process. The purpose of this study was to longitudinally compare the ability of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Super-EBA to seal furcation perforations. Fifty-one extracted human maxillary molars were decoronated 3 mm above the CEJ, and the roots were amputated 3 mmbelow the furcation. A #2 high-speed round bur was used to perforate the center of the furcations. The canals were obturated with gutta-percha, and the root ends were sealed with C&B Metabond. Three experimental groups of 15 teeth each were restored with MTA, Super-EBA, or a combination of MTA in the perforation and a Super-EBA dome on the pulpal floor. Six teeth served as controls. Each tooth was affixed to a fluid filtration device and subjected to a pressure of 20 cm H2O. The integrity of the perforation seal was evaluated initially at 30 min for the Super-EBA and the combination groups and at 4 h for the MTA group. Additional measurements were then made at 24 h, 1 week, and 1 month. The controls behaved as expected. A twoway ANOVA revealed a significant difference (p 0.01) between materials. Tukey's test isolated the difference to Super EBA as producing a superior seal but only at 24 h. There was no significant effect with time (p 0.57) or the interaction of the materials with time (p 0.66). All materials sealed the perforations very well. The maximum leakage of all materials was <0.007 L min1 cm H2O1.