We evaluated in vitro microleakage of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) powder with 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META) / methyl methacrylate (MMA) & tri-n-butylborane (TBB) resin as a retrograde filling material by using methylene blue dye method.

Fifty-two single rooted, extracted teeth were instrumented and obturated with gutta percha and AH plus sealer. The apical 3mm of each root was resected and 3mm deep ultrasonic root end preparation was done. External surface of roots was coated with nail varnish. Prepared teeth were randomly divided into five groups; Negative control: completely covered with nail varnish; Positive control: coated with nail varnish except for apical foramen; Group 1 (retrofilled with Portland cement); Group 2 (retrofilled with MTA); Group 3 (retrofilled with MTA powder mixed with 4-META/MMA & TBB resin). Immediately after completion of root-end filling, all specimens were submerged in methylene blue dye for 72 hours in 37℃ incubator. The roots were longitudinally sectioned and measured for extent of dye penetration by three different examiners under microscope (×10). The results were statistically analyzed using one way ANOVA and Turkey's HSD test. No leakage was evident in negative control and complete leakage in positive control group. Group 3 showed significantly less leakage than group 1 and 2 (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between group 1 and 2 (p > 0.01).

It was concluded that MTA powder with 4-META/MMA & TBB resin was excellent in reducing initial apical microleakage.