Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of three CH based intracanal medicaments on the apical sealing ability of MTA sealer – gutta-percha obturation

Materials and Methods: Crowns of 60 extracted single rooted human teeth were sectioned at the Cemento-Enamel Junction (CEJ) to a standardized length. The root canals were instrumented upto ISO size 40 using step back technique and the specimens were randomly divided into two control and four experimental groups. The control groups were not medicated. Specimens in positive control group (Group I) were obturated with guttapercha without placing sealer and in negative control group (Group II) were obturated with guttapercha and MTA sealer. Among the experimental groups, specimens of Group III were not medicated while groups IV, V and VI were medicated with CH-saline, CH-2% Chlorhexidine (CHX) and Vitapex respectively for a period of 14 days. The medicaments were removed from the specimens and the teeth were obturated with MTA sealer and guttapercha using lateral compaction technique. The specimens were immersed in rhodamine b dye, demineralized and diphanized. The extent of dye penetration was assessed using a 10X stereomicroscope. Data obtained was statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA (p<0.05) followed by Post-hoc Turkey test.

Results: Amongst the three CH medicaments, CH-2% CHX when used as an intracanal medicament showed a significantly higher microleakage as compared to the other groups with p<0.001. The microleakage values between the remaining groups were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Under the conditions of this study it was concluded that all groups with or without intracanal medicament showed apical leakage. The vehicle used to carry CH may significantly influence the apical sealing ability of guttapercha – MTA sealer obturated canals.