A comparative study of apical leakage of Apexit, Ketac-Endo, and Diaket root canal sealers

The purpose of this study was to compare the apical leakage of Ketac-Endo, Apexit, and Diaket. Fifty freshly extracted human maxillary anterior teeth were used. The anatomical crowns were removed at the amelocemental junction, and step-back preparation of the roots canals was performed with K-type files to size 40 using 2 ml of 5.25% NaOCl irrigant after each file change. The roots were randomly divided into five groups of 10 roots each: three experimental and two control groups. The experimental groups were as follows: group 1, Apexit; group 2, Ketac-Endo; and group 3, Diaket. Root canals were filled with one of the sealers and gutta-percha using lateral condensation. After the specimens were stored in 100% humidity at 37 degrees C for 2 wk, the roots were covered with two layers of nail polish and immersed in 2% methylene blue for 7 days. Each tooth was split into two sections, and dye penetration was evaluated independently by three examiners using a stereomicroscope at x20 magnification. Mann-Whitney U analysis showed that there was no significant difference between Apexit and Diaket (p > 0.05). However, there was significantly more leakage with Ketac-Endo (p < 0.05).