In vitro evaluation of furcal perforation repair using mineral trioxide aggregate or resin modified glass lonomer cement with and without the use of the operating microscope.

This study evaluated in vitro the effect of using the operating microscope on repairing furcation perforations using Vitrebond or mineral trioxide aggregate. Forty-six human molar teeth were mounted into a jig attached to a simulated jaw. The teeth were allocated randomly to four groups (n = 10). Furcal perforations were made in the teeth using an ISO 012 round bur in a slow-speed hand-piece. Each material was used to repair a group of teeth with and without the use of the operating microscope. The remaining six teeth provided positive and negative controls. All groups were stored in 100% humidity, and the repair materials were allowed to set for 72 h at room temperature before being assessed for the quality of placement under x26 magnification. Leakage at the repair was then tested using India ink; the teeth were demineralized, dehydrated in alcohol, and rendered transparent in methyl salicylate. Dye penetration into the furcation repair was evaluated at x26 magnification. There was no difference in the acceptability of the repair with either material whether or not the operating microscope was used. The perforations repaired with mineral trioxide aggregate leaked significantly less to the tracer dye than those repaired with Vitrebond (p < 0.001).