Apical sealing and marginal adaptation of MTA apical plug subjected to obturation after different time intervals

ObjectiveThis study compares the apical seal and marginal adaptation of an MTA apical plug in incisors obturated at three time intervals.MethodForty extracted central incisors were prepared with wide apex and divided into 4 groups. The first group was obturated with gutta-percha and AH26 sealer, which served as the positive control. The second group received an MTA apical plug and obturation immediately. In the third and fourth group, obturation was delayed for 48 h and one week, respectively. The apical seal was assessed by the dye penetration method and quantified using image analysis software. The marginal adaptation was studied using SEM.ResultsA significantly better apical seal was observed in the groups obturated after 48 h and one week after MTA placement. The dye penetration did not show any significant changes between the 48 h and one week groups. The marginal adaptation also showed a minimal gap in the control and in samples with delayed obturation.ConclusionBased on this in vitro study, delaying obturation for 48 h after setting the MTA is recommended for maximum apical sealing and marginal adaptation.