Comparative Evaluation of Apical Leakage Following Three Different Obturation and Post-Space Preparation Techniques with a Bioceramic Sealer
Laura Tomaszewski, DDS1*, Albert F. McMullen III, DDS, FACD2, Madeleine Raymond, BS3, Annamari Farrar, DDS3, Thomas Lallier, PhD4
1Postgraduate Endodontic Resident, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
2Department Head and Postgraduate Director, Endodontics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
3Endodontics Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
4Professor, Cell Biology and Anatomy Coordinator for Student Research, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
*Corresponding Author: Laura Tomaszewski, DDS, Postgraduate Endodontic Resident, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.023
Received: May 22, 2026
Published: June 09, 2026
Citation: Tomaszewski L, McMullen III AF, Raymond M, Farrar A, Lallier T. Comparative Evaluation of Apical Leakage Following Three Different Obturation and Post-Space Preparation Techniques with a Bioceramic Sealer. SVOA Dentistry 2026, 7:3, 173-179. doi: 10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.023
Abstract
Purpose: The integrity of the apical seal following post-space preparation remains clinically relevant as endodontic techniques and materials evolve. No studies to date have directly compared the three obturation and post-space preparation techniques evaluated in this study using a uniform bioceramic (BC) sealer. This study hypothesized that obturation and post-space preparation technique would influence apical sealing ability despite consistent sealer use. It was further anticipated that full obturation using a continuous wave compaction technique followed by post-space preparation using a dedicated post drill would produce the most effective apical seal.
Methods: Thirty-five extracted single-rooted human teeth were cleaned, shaped, and randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 10 each) along with a negative control group (n = 5) based on obturation and post-space preparation method. Group 1 (negative control = no obturation), Group 2 (single cone with sectioning), Group 3 (single cone with heat tip), and Group 4 (continuous wave compaction with post drill). All teeth were obturated using gutta-percha and EndoSequence BC Sealer. After obturation, roots were sealed with nail polish (excluding the apex), submerged in 2% methylene blue dye for 72 hours, then cleared using a standard decalcification and dehydration protocol. Dye penetration was measured from the apex to the most coronal extent using ImageJ. Statistical comparisons between groups were performed using two tailed independent-samples t-tests with significance established at p < 0.05.
Results: Of the obturated groups, Group 4 (CWC + PD) showed the least dye leakage (0.75 ± 0.22 mm). Leakage increased significantly in Groups 2 (SC + SEC) (1.51 ± 1.14 mm) and 3 (SC + HT) (2.38 ± 1.64 mm) compared with Group 4. No significant differences were observed between Groups 2 and 3.
Conclusion: All groups exhibited apical leakage, yet the leakage depth varied based on the obturation method and post-space preparation technique utilized. The continuous wave compaction/post drill group demonstrated significantly less leakage than the two single-cone groups, indicating a superior apical seal.
Keywords: Apical microleakage; Continuous wave compaction; Bioceramic sealer
