Gas permeability: a new quantitative method to assess endodontic leakage.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate a new endodontic leakage measurement method.
Materials and Methods: Permeability was assessed measuring the gas flow passing through the root. Positive and negative tests were carried out to assess the validity of the method. We used glass capillaries for calibration (diameters of 15, 30, 40, 50 and 75 microm). The applicability of the method was assessed with human teeth using three sealing methods: GuttaFlow (GF) and a single cone; Pulp Canal Sealer (PCS) and a single cone; PCS and system B.
Results: This method demonstrated to be highly reproducible as the standard deviation was approximately 1% on average with glass capillaries. Significantly higher leakage (p<0.05) was recorded for endodontic treatment with GF and single cone compared to PCS and single cone and PCS with system B.
Conclusion: Gas permeability is quantitative, sensitive, non-destructive and reproducible and seems appropriate for endodontic tests. It would participate in the indirect comprehension of leakage phenomena.