Quantitative analysis of the obturation of oval-shaped canals using thermoplastic techniques

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to quantify the area filled by gutta-percha, the area filled by cement and the area of voids present in oval canals, treated by thermoplastic filling techniques in comparison with the lateral condensation technique and observe the adaptation of the gutta-percha to the anatomy of the oval root canals according to the obturation technique. 80 mandibular incisors were selected. The teeth were instrumented with Protaper Gold and divided into 4 groups of 20. Group 1 was filled with Thermafill; group 2 with GuttaCore; group 3 with continuous wave vertical condensation and group 4 with the lateral condensation technique. Two horizontal sections were cut at 5mm and 7mm from the apex. All thermoplastic techniques achieved a high percentage of obturation. The percentages of voids in group 4 were the highest. Statistically significant differences were found between thermoplastic techniques compared with lateral condensation. Continuous wave vertical condensation got the lowest percentage of voids.