The aim of this study was to evaluate the microleakage of teeth according to root canal preparation with & without apical enlargement in various size of apical foramen. 60 extracted one canal roots were cross-cutted at 5 mm from root apex and divided into two groups according to their apical foramen size of large (L) and small (S). Each group was subdivided into two groups accordance with their cross-sectional configuration at 5 mm from apex, round (R) and ovoid (O); SR Group, SO Group, LR Group, LO Group. Each group was shaped in .02 taper by Quantec series Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) rotary file, obturated by lateral condensation method. Leakage was measured using a fluid transport model under 40 cmH₂O pressure. After the leakage test, blocks which had showed the leakage retreated with .04 taper and .06 taper and evaluated the degree of fluid filtration in each group. The data was analysed statistically using chi-square test and fisher's exact test.

The results obtained were as follows:

1. Significant difference in leakage was found in groups which had different apical foramen size in .02 taper instrumentation (p < 0.05), but not in .04 taper instrumentation (p > 0.05).

2. The difference in microleakage according to the shape of canal was not evident at 5 mm from apex (p > 0.05).

3. There was correlation between .02 taper instrumentation and .04 taper instrumentation in LR group , LO group (p < 0.05).