Aim:  The aim of this study is to evaluate the apical sealing ability of AH Plus sealer mixed with either chlorhexidine or cetrimide and combined with both

Materials and Methodology: 80 freshly extracted human single rooted permanent teeth were selected, which are decoronated and the root canals were instrumented. The specimens were randomly divided into four groups (n = 20) based on sealer used for obturation such as

Group 1: using AH Plus sealer

Group 2: using AH Plus sealer with chlorhexidine

Group 3: using AH Plus sealer with cetrimide

Group 4: using AH Plus sealer with both chlorhexidine and cetrimide

And the specimens in each group were divided into two subgroups (n = 10) based on obturation technique used such as

Subgroup A: obturated with single cone technique

Subgroup B: obturated with thermoplasticized gutta-percha technique using calamus

Apical sealing ability was evaluated using dye penetration method. Teeth were split longitudinally and then horizontally markings are made at 2, 4 and 6 mm from the apex. Dye penetration evaluation was done using stereomicroscope under 30X magnification.

Results:  All the statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Comparison of mean dye penetration was done using ANOVA with post-hoc tukey’s test. In all groups, Sub-group B had lower mean dye penetration than subgroup A. There was no significant difference in the mean dye penetration among the 4 groups in subgroup A (p=0.154) and subgroup B (p=0.798).

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, there is no significant difference in apical sealing ability of AH Plus sealer when combined with CHX and CTR or both. Thermoplasticized gutta-percha technique with calamus showed better apical sealing ability when compared to single cone obturation technique.

Keywords: AH Plus, cetrimide, chlorhexidine, single cone technique, calamus, apical sealing ability.

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Dr Shanti Priya P

Post Graduate student, Sri Sai College of Dental Surgery,

Vikarabad, Telangana State, India, 501101