Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of three irrigating solutions on the apical sealing ability of three endodontic sealers when the continuous wave obturation technique was used.
Materials and Methods: 100 maxillary central incisors were decoronated and roots were divided into three experimental groups (n=30 each) according to the type of irrigating solution, and two control groups (n=5 each). Each experimental group was divided equally into three subgroups according to the type of obturation system. All canals were instrumented using ProTaper Universal rotary system and irrigated with 3% sodium hypochlorite (Group 1), 2% chlorohexidine (Group 2), and 3% hydrogen peroxide (Group 3), followed by 17% EDTA and distilled water. Continuous wave technique was used to obturate root canals with the following combinations: MTA Fillapex/Gutta-percha (Subgroup A), AH Plus/Gutta-percha (Subgroup B) and Realseal SE/Realseal
(Subgroup C). The apical microleakage was assessed using linear dye penetration method and the data were statistically analyzed.
Results: Significant differences were found between all groups (P<0.05). All root canal sealers after irrigation with 3% hydrogen peroxide showed the lowest amounts of apical leakage. Samples irrigated with 3% sodium hypochlorite or 2% chlorohexidine showed the highest amounts of apical leakage.
Conclusions: The type of irrigating solution could affect the apical sealing ability of experimental sealers when used with the continuous wave obturation technique. Root canal irrigation with 3% hydrogen peroxide + 17% EDTA increased the sealing ability of all root canal sealers. Root canal irrigation with 3% sodium hypochlorite 2% chlorohexidine + 17% EDTA decreased the sealing ability of all root canal sealers.