Summary:
Purpose: To compare bacterial leakage using S.mutans and E.faecalis through gutta-percha and a thermoplastic synthetic polymer-based root filling (Resilon) using two filling techniques during a 30-day period.
Materials/Methods:
n: 156 roots divided into 8 groups of 15 roots (groups 1–8) and 3 control groups (12 roots each)
Table.1. Sticky wax was applied all over the root surface except for the apical 2 mm and the orifice. Microbial leakage was tested using Torabinejad model.
– At completion of the leakage study, one Resilon and one gutta-percha specimen was randomly chosen. Each specimen was longitudinally sectioned and viewed under SEM.
Highlights:
- The Resilon groups were found to be superior to the gutta-percha groups with respect to the number and rate of leakage Table.2.
- Resilon showed minimal leakage group 8: 7%; groups 5–7: each with 13% leakage, significantly less than gutta-percha, in which 73%-93% leaked.
- All Resilon and Epiphany sealer groups leaked significantly less than all groups in which AH 26 was used as a sealer
- The dentin-filling interface of the longitudinal sections showed a 10 um uniform gap between gutta-percha and resin sealer Fig.1.
- There was no gap between the Resilon filling and Epiphany sealer Fig.2.
Conclusion
The excellent sealing capability of Resilon may be attributed to the “mono-block” contrast, gutta-percha filling pulled away from the AH 26 sealer, whereas the sealer remained against the dentin wall with its resin tags penetrating the dentin tubules

