Dr. Brittany Bartenstein DMD / Endodontic Resident US Army Dental Activity, Ft Gordon Grovetown, Georgia, United States
Introduction: This in vitro study evaluated a two-chamber model for determining the frequency of bacterial leakage in root canal systems. The aim of this study was to test various materials combined with cold plasma sterilization (CPS) to evaluate the seal of gutta-percha and endodontic sealers. Materials and
Method: A model consisting of two chambers, one containing human saliva and one containing brain heart infused broth was evaluated. The leakage apparatus was constructed from a glass vial, and a 1.5 ml Eppendorf centrifuge tube with an instrumented, obturated tooth spanning the two chambers. Two separate pilot studies were conducted with a total of 35 extracted, single-rooted teeth. The bacterial leakage apparatuses were sterilized via CPS prior to initiation of the experiments. In the first pilot study CPS was utilized and industrial-grade silicone was used to seal the apparatus. In the second pilot study CPS was utilized and cyanoacrylate was used to seal the apparatus. The apparatus was then monitored for bacterial leakage by the formation of turbidity. Each incident of bacterial leakage as demonstrated by turbidity was recorded.
Results: 100% of experimental teeth leaked. No statistical analysis was conducted due to lack of data.
Conclusion: The use of an Eppendorf tube with a locking lid, cyanoacrylate, industrial-grade silicone and CPS may be problematic when utilized for bacterial leakage apparatuses. Future research should investigate the construction and implementation of materials in bacterial leakage models striving to improve the physical design.
