BACKGROUND: Endodontically treated teeth with excessive loss of tooth structure are frequently restored using fiber posts. In this in vitro study, the apical leakage of self- and dual-activated curing modes for dual-curing resins cementing a translucent fiber post was evaluated using computerized fluid filtration meter and dye extraction method.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and four extracted human maxillary incisors with single root and canal were used. Experimental samples embedded in a closed system were divided into 4 groups (n=20) according to 2 dual-curing luting systems, with 2 different curing modes (either with self- or light-activation): (1) Panavia F 2.0 with self-cure, (2) Panavia F 2.0 with light-activation, (3) Clearfill SA with self-cure, and (4) Clearfill SA with light activation. Twenty-four teeth served as negative and positive controls. Translucent fiber posts were luted in the roots except in the control groups.

RESULTS: Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference in leakage among groups (p>0.05) with 4.12×10^–4 (Panavia self-cure), 4.55×10^–4 (Clearfill SA self-cure), 5.17×10^–4 (Panavia dual-cure), and 5.59×10^–4 (Clearfill SA dual-cure) in fluid-filtration method. Absorbance values for dye-extraction method were 266 nanometer (nm) (Panavia self-cure), 268 nm (Clearfill SA self-cure), 270 nm (Panavia dual-cure), and 271 nm (Clearfill SA dual-cure), in which difference among the groups were not statistically significant (p>0.05). When comparing the leakage, assessment methods results showed no statistically significant difference between the tested evaluation techniques (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Light- and self-activation curing modes of Panavia F 2.0 and Clearfill SA perform similar to each other in a closed system.

Keywords: Filtration - methods, Dental Stress Analysis - methods, Coloring Agents - chemistry, Resin Cements - pharmacology