Apical leakage in root canal fillings performed with two types of cement following application of Nd: YAG laser or EDTA solution in the root canal walls

Marginal apical leakage was evaluated in root canal filling performed with two sorts of cements after applying Nd:YAG laser or an EDTA solution in the root canal walls. Sixty-two human lower premolars had their canals instrumented through mechanical technique. Afterwards the external root surfaces were impermeabilized, except for the foramen. The roots were then divided into 4 groups of 15, according to the type of treatment performed on the root canal walls and the type of cement utilized in the filling. Group I - application of Nd:YAG laser and filling with AH Plus cement; Group II - application of Nd:YAG laser and filling with Endofill cement; Group III - application of EDTA for 5 minutes and filling with AH Plus cement; Group IV - application of EDTA for 5 minutes and filling with Endofill cement. Two teeth served as negative and positive controls. Afterwards, the roots were immersed in a 2%-methylene blue dye, for 48 hours. Wearing of the roots took place following the removal of impermeabilization for the reading of leakage magnitude, by means of a light microscope through planimetry technique The results indicated AH Plus cement as the one to allow the least apical leakage, as well as Nd:YAG laser application, when utilized in the treatment of root canal walls, prior to filling.