Microleakage of retrograde root fillings: assessment using a novel measurement system.

In the past, measurement of microleakage has been based on measurement of dye or radioactive isotope penetration. A method has been developed to allow electronic monitoring of microflow in the same specimen over a period of time. This method was used to compare previously reported retrograde materials with an amalgam/sealer combination. The material that performed best was amalgam/sealer, particularly in the first week. The role of cavity varnish in limiting leakage has been controversial, and the results in the present study do not indicate any significant benefit. The range of leakage measured for specimens in the same group suggests that in vivo the expected leakage could be considerable for the materials tested and that small differences in experimental leakage between groups may not have any practical significance.