Evaluation of the sealing ability of amalgam, Cavit, and glass ionomer cement in the repair of furcation perforations.

Perforations created in the pulpal floors of 30 extracted molars were repaired with amalgam, Cavit, and light cured glass ionomer cement. After the pulp chambers and access openings were filled with composite resin, the teeth were then immersed in 2% Erythrocin B solution for 1 week. After longitudinal sectioning of the teeth, dye penetration was measured. The results indicated significant differences between the three materials. Light cured glass ionomer exhibited the least dye penetration followed by Cavit and amalgam.