1018 Evaluation of the radiopacity of root- end filling materials by digitization of radiographic images Mário Tanomaru Filho 1 Simone Caetano Laitano 2 Marcelo Gonçalves 3 Juliane Maria Guerreiro Tanomaru 4 1 PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Endodontics, Araraquara Dental School, University of the State of São Paulo, UNESP, Araraquara, SP, Brazil 2 DDS, Graduate Student, Araraquara Dental School, University of the State of São Paulo, UNESP, Araraquara, SP, Brazil 3 PhD, Assistant Professor of Radiology, Araraquara Dental School, University of the State of São Paulo, UNESP, Araraquara, SP, Brazil 4 PhD in Endodontics, Araraquara Dental School, University of the State of São Paulo, UNESP, Araraquara, SP, Brazil Received for publication: July 25, 2005 Accepted: May 16, 2006 Correspondence to: Mário Tanomaru Filho Department of Endodontics, Araraquara School of Dentistry, UNESP, Rua Humaitá, 1680 - CEP: 14801-903 Araraquara, SP, Brasil. Phone: +55-16-33016390 and +55-16- 33364658 Fax: +55-16-3301-6392 E-mail: tanomaru@uol.com.br Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity of five root-end filling materials (Sealer 26, Zinc Oxide-Eugenol, Sealapex with zinc oxide, Pro Root TM MTA, and MTA-Angelus). Specimens measuring 10 millimeters in diameter and 1 millimeter in thickness were fabricated and radiographed next to an aluminum stepwedge with variable thickness. Radiographs were digitized and radiopacity values of the materials were compared to those of the aluminum stepwedge. The VIXWIN 2000 software was used to determine the radiopacity in millimeters of aluminum (mm Al). Radiopacity values varied from 2.5 mm Al to 8.9 mm Al. Sealer 26 and ZOE were the most radiopaque (p<0.05), while MTA-based materials presented the least radiopacity; Sealapex with zinc oxide presented intermediate radiopacity. The root- end filling materials presented different radiopacity values; MTA- based materials were the least radiopaque, with radiopacity values next to the minimum recommended. Key Words: retrograde obturation, root canal filling material, radiology Braz J Oral Sci. April-June 2006 - Vol. 5 - Number 17