This study was performed to assess the radiopacity of a variety of canal filling and retrograde root-end filling materials according to the specification concerning root canal obturation materials.

Ten materials including Gutta-percha pellets, amalgam, Fuji II LC, Dyract® AP, Super EBA®, IRM®, AH 26®, Sealapex™, Tubli-Seal™ and dentin were evaluated in this study. In the first part, densitometric reading of an each step of aluminum step wedge on occlusal film were performed at 60 kVp (0.2, 0.3, 0.4 s), 70 kVp (0.2, 0.3, 0.33 s) to decide appropriate voltage and exposure time. In the second part, ten specimens which are 5 mm in diameter and 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 mm in thickness, were fabricated from each material studied. The specimens were radiographed simultaneously with an aluminum step wedge under decided condition (60 kVp, 0.2 s). The mean radiographic density values of the materials were transformed into radiopacity expressed equivalent thickness of aluminum (mm Al).

The following results were obtained.

Among the various conditions including 0.2 s, 0.3 s, 0.4 s at 60 kVp and 0.2 s, 0.3 s, 0.33 s at 70 kVp, the appropriate voltage and exposure time that meet the requirement of density from 0.5 to 2.0 was 0.2 s at 60 kVp.

It suggests that all experimental canal filling and retrograde root-end filling materials have a sufficient radiopacity that meet the requirement concerning root canal obturation materials except for Fuji II LC and Dyract.