In vivo study of temporary filling materials used in endodontics in anterior teeth.

The sealing efficacy of temporary endodontic filling materials was tested in vivo. The following materials were studied: Cavit, Caviton, gutta-percha, three types of zinc phosphate cement, and zinc oxide and eugenol. All the materials were tested in the access cavity of the same anterior tooth in ten different patients for a minimum of 1 week. Seepage was determined bacteriologically by culturing a cotton pellet which was sealed into the access cavity. On the basis of the quantity of microorganisms grown anaerobically, differentiation was made between no leakage, minor leakage, and gross leakage. Findings with Cavit and Caviton are essentially the same and show no or minor leakage in the vast majority of tests. Gutta-percha showed gross leakage in six out of eight tests. Phosphate cements showed no leakage in more than two thirds of the tests.