An evaluation of plaster of Paris barriers used under various materials to repair furcation perforations (in vitro study).

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of plaster of Paris barriers on the sealing ability of various materials when used to repair furcation perforations. The study was conducted on 90 human permanent molars with well developed, nonfused roots. Access openings and furcation perforations were prepared in the pulp chamber floor. The teeth were divided into one control and five experimental groups of 15 teeth each. In the experimental group, plaster of Paris barriers were created in the perforations and then sealed with silver amalgam, glass ionomer (GI), self-cured composite resin, IRM, or AH26. Access openings were filled with composite resin. The teeth were submerged in a solution of 2% methylene blue dye for 2 wk. Finally, the samples were sectioned and evaluated for linear dye leakage and analyzed statistically. Maximum dye penetration was observed in amalgam followed in a decreasing order by GI, composite, IRM, and AH26. AH26 showed the best sealing ability in the presence of plaster of Paris barriers followed by IRM, composite resin, and GI. Amalgam showed the poorest sealing ability when used to repair furcation perforations.