Objectives: To compare the sealing ability of MTA and IRM root-end filling materials. Methods: Root canals of 50 extracted maxillary incisors and canines were prepared chemo-mechanically and obturated with gutta-percha and sealer. Root ends were resected with a cylinder square bur under water coolant. Retropreparation was done down the long axis to the depth of 3.0mm using a size 010 inverted cone steel bur. 40 teeth were randomly divided into two experimental groups (group 1 and group 2). In group 1, 20 cavities were filled with MTA, whereas in group 2, 20 cavities were filled with IRM. 5 root-end cavities were left unfilled and served as a positive control. Each tooth of group 1, 2, and positive control was coated with two layers of nail varnish except for the resected root end. Further 5 root ends were filled with IRM and served as a negative control, in which nail varnish was applied to all surfaces, including the root end. Apical leakage was determined using 2% methylene blue. All teeth were stored in the dye for 72 hours in 37oC. The teeth were polished parallel to the long axis and the linear dye penetration was examined under endodontic microscope. Leakage for groups of teeth was compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The mean leakage of MTA and IRM were 0.16 and 2.08, respectively. The median was 0.00 for MTA and 1.90 for IRM. Results demonstrated a significant difference between the groups according to the Mann-Whitney U test (p<0.05). The MTA group demonstrated significantly less leakage than the IRM group. Positive controls showed complete dye penetration, whereas negative controls showed no dye penetration. Conclusion: MTA provides a better apical seal as root-end filling material than IRM. This study was funded by Medical University of Lodz, grant No. 502-12-800

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