Spreader penetration during lateral compaction of resilon and gutta-percha

Resilon, a thermoplastic, polyester polymer-based filling material, is a new material used for sealing root canals after chemomechanical preparation. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare nickel-titanium (NiTi) spreader penetration in root canals having a .04 taper preparation using .02 and .04 tapered master gutta-percha cones and .02 and .04 tapered master Resilon cones. Twenty canals, from extracted human teeth, were cleaned and shaped to a standardized 40/.04 size. Master cones of .02 or .04 tapered gutta-percha and .02 or .04 tapered Resilon were placed in each canal. A fine-fine NiTi spreader was then placed next to the master cone with a 1.5-kg force. The penetration depth was measured, subtracted from working length, and recorded. A significant difference in penetration depth (p < 0.01) was found for both taper of the cone and material used. The depth of spreader penetration from greatest to least was .02 tapered Resilon, .02 tapered gutta-percha, .04 tapered Resilon, and .04 tapered gutta-percha.     

2种侧压器进入弯曲根管的深度及充填质量的比较

目的 比较镍钛（NiTi）侧方加压器和不锈钢（SS）侧方加压器进入不同程度弯曲根管的深度和根充质量。方法 选择40颗离体弯曲单根管的下颌前磨牙,依据根管弯曲度将其分为小于等于20°和大于20°。采用机用镍钛ProFile器械预备根管,测定2种侧压器进入有主牙胶尖根管的深度,并采用冷牙胶侧方加压充填技术充填根管,在距根尖2 mm和4 mm处对根管作水平片切,记录图像并分析根管中牙胶面积的百分比（PGP）。结果 在弯曲度大于20°的根管中,NiTi侧压器进入根管的深度及根尖2 mm处PGP均大于SS侧压器（P<0.05）;在弯曲度小于等于20°的根管中,二者的差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。采用不同侧压器充填的根管距根尖4 mm处的PGP的差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 NiTi侧压器在严重弯曲根管中较SS侧压器能获得较好的进入深度及充填质量。     

Comparison of some physical properties of finger spreaders made of stainless steel or nickel-titanium alloys

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the flexibility, shape, and surface finishing of stainless steel (SS) and nickel-titanium (NiTi) finger spreaders as well as to compare the load required to insert these spreaders along a gutta-percha point adapted to the apical segment of curved or straight artificial canals. Instrument flexibility was investigated by using a universal testing machine in the cantilever-flexibility test. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the shape and surface finishing of different sizes of SS and NiTi finger spreaders. Penetration load was evaluated only for spreaders size C by using the universal testing machine in a compressive test. As for flexibility, the load needed to bend the SS finger spreader sizes A, B, C, and D was approximately 167%, 146%, 102%, and 64% greater than the respective sizes of NiTi finger spreaders. SEM analysis revealed that the instrument tips were always tapered, but with different vertices. NiTi spreaders showed tips with circumferential grooves; whereas, those from SS spreaders exhibited longitudinal grooves. NiTi finger spreaders required a significantly higher penetration load than SS spreaders. This difference was probably related to the different shapes and surface finishing of the instrument tips. Different characteristics of finger spreaders may result in different clinical performance during the lateral compaction technique.     

Comparison of laterally condensed .06 and .02 tapered Gutta-Percha and sealer in vitro.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the quality of the seal in canals prepared in a standardized manner and obturated with a .06 or a .02 tapered gutta-percha master cone using lateral condensation. Forty-four extracted human anterior teeth with single, straight canals were divided into two experimental groups of 20 teeth each and two control groups of 2 teeth each. The teeth were instrumented with Series 29 Profile .06 tapered rotary nickel-titanium files to a master apical file of 0.46 mm. Teeth in group 1 were obturated with a .02 tapered master gutta-percha cone and Roth 801 sealer using lateral condensation. Teeth in group 2 were obturated similarly, except a .06 tapered master gutta-percha cone was used. The depth of spreader penetration was recorded in millimeters. Positive control teeth were instrumented but not filled. Negative control teeth were instrumented, obturated, and externally sealed. The teeth were placed into a coronal leakage apparatus that contained an upper and lower reservoir of trypticase soy broth separated by the tooth. A 24-h growth of Proteus vulgaris in 0.25 ml of trypticase soy broth was placed in the coronal reservoir every 7 days for 70 days and incubated at 37 degrees C. Student's t test was used to determine whether there was a difference in spreader penetration between the groups, and a Fisher's exact test was used to determine whether there was a difference in bacterial leakage. The positive and negative controls validated the testing model. When a .02 tapered master cone was used, the spreader penetrated significantly closer to working length than when a .06 tapered master cone was used (p < 0.05). The difference between the groups in the number of samples that demonstrated complete bacterial penetration was not significant (p > 0.05).     

Comparison of root canal preparation with two rotary NiTi instruments: ProFile .04 and GT Rotary

AIM: To compare root canal preparation using ProFile .04 and GT Rotary nickel-titanium instruments (both Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). METHODOLOGY: Fifty extracted mandibular molars with mesial root canal curvatures between 20 and 40 degrees were randomly divided into two groups and embedded in a muffle system. All root canals were prepared to size 45 using ProFile .04 or GT rotary instruments. The following parameters were evaluated: straightening of root canal curvature, postoperative root canal cross-section, cleaning ability, safety issues and working time. RESULTS: Both NiTi systems maintained curvature well; the mean degree of straightening was <1 degrees . The majority of the root canals prepared with ProFile .04 (80.8%) and GT (84.0%) postoperatively showed a round or oval cross-section. For debris, ProFile .04 and GT rotary achieved 67.1% and 71.6% scores of 1 and 2, respectively. Concerning the coronal region statistical analysis showed a better result for GT than for ProFile .04. For the middle and apical thirds of the root canals, results did not differ significantly. None of the two systems completely removed smear layer. Ten procedural incidents occurred with ProFile .04 compared with five with GT. Mean working time was shorter for ProFile .04 (131.8 s) than for GT (143.7 s); the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Both systems respected original root canal curvature well and were safe to use. Smear layer removal was not satisfactory with either systems.     

An evaluation of .06 tapered gutta-percha cones for filling of .06 taper prepared curved root canals

AIM: To compare the area occupied by gutta-percha, sealer, or void in standardized .06 tapered prepared simulated curved canals and in mesio-buccal canals of extracted maxillary first molars filled with a single .06 gutta-percha point and sealer or lateral condensation of multiple .02 gutta-percha points and sealer. METHODOLOGY: Simulated canals in resin blocks with either a 30 degrees curve and radius of 10.5 mm (n = 20) or a 58 degrees curve and 4.7 mm radius (n = 20) and curved mesio-buccal canals of extracted maxillary first molars (n = 20) were prepared using .06 ProFiles in a variable tip crown-down sequence to an apical size 35 at 0.5 mm from the canal terminus or apical foramen. Ten 30 degrees and 58 degrees curved resin canals and 10 canals in the extracted teeth group were obturated with .02 taper gutta-percha cones and AH 26 sealer using lateral condensation. The time required to obturate was recorded. The remaining canals were obturated with a single .06 taper gutta-percha cone and AH 26 sealer. Excess gutta-percha was removed from the specimens using heat and the warm mass vertically condensed. Horizontal sections were cut at 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 4.5, 7.5 and 11.5 mm from the canal terminus or apical foramen. Colour photographs were taken using an Olympus 35 mm camera attached to a stereomicroscope set at x40 magnification, and then digitized using a flatbed scanner. The cross-sectional area of the canal contents was analysed using Adobe PhotoShop. The percentage of gutta-percha, sealer or voids to the total root canal area were derived and data analysed using unpaired Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: In the 30 degrees curved canals the levels had between 94 and 100% of the area filled with gutta-percha with no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the lateral condensation and single cone techniques. In the 58 degrees curved canals the levels had 92-99% of the area filled with gutta-percha, with the single cone technique having significantly (P < 0.05) more gutta-percha fill at the 2.5 mm level only. In the mesio-buccal canals of the teeth the levels had between 72 and 96% of the area filled with gutta-percha with no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the lateral condensation and single cone technique. The time for obturation was significantly (P < 0.05) greater for lateral condensation compared with the single cone technique in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: The .06 taper single cone technique was comparable with lateral condensation in the amount of gutta-percha occupying a prepared .06 tapered canal. The .06 single cone technique was faster than lateral condensation.     

Effectiveness of the ProFile.04 Taper Series 29 files in removal of gutta-percha root fillings during curved root canal retreatment.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the capacity of ProFile.04 Taper Series 29 files to remove gutta-percha during curved root canal retreatment. Forty-four mandibular molars whose mesial roots presented between 26 and 40 degrees of curvature, determined by Schneider's method, were selected. The root canals were enlarged to ISO size 35 and obturated with laterally condensed gutta-percha using Sealer 26. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups for gutta-percha removal: GI: size 2 Gates Glidden drills; GII: size 6 ProFile.04 Taper Series 29 files; GIII: size 7 ProFile.04 Taper Series 29 files. The penetration of the instruments was measured with millimetered x-rays and clinical observation. The ProFile.04 Taper Series 29 files removed the endodontic filling material better than the Gates Glidden files.     

Gutta-percha retreatment: effectiveness of nickel-titanium rotary instruments versus stainless steel hand files

This study compared the cleanliness of the root canal walls after retreatment using nickel titanium (NiTi) rotary and stainless steel (SS) files. Also compared were time of retreatment and canal deviation. Forty extracted canines were step-back prepared and obturated with gutta-percha and sealer. Retreatment was performed either by using chloroform and SS hand files or chloroform and NiTi rotary files. Time for retreatment was recorded. Radiographs of the root canal system before and after retreatment were made. Teeth were split longitudinally, photographed, and projected onto a screen. The amount of gutta-percha/sealer remaining on the canal walls was then traced and measured. The amount remaining was analyzed and compared statistically between NiTi and SS groups by t test. Results showed that the mean percentage of wall coverage by remaining obturating material in the SS group was 13.6% and was 15.2% for the NiTi group. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.361). No severe canal deviation occurred with either retreatment method. Mean retreatment time for the SS group was 6.3 min and 7.9 min for the NiTi group; the difference was statistically significant (t test p < 0.001). In conclusion, NiTi rotary and SS hand were similar in material remaining after retreatment, but SS hand was a bit faster.     

Comparison of generated forces and apical microleakage using nickel-titanium and stainless steel finger spreaders in curved canals

The purpose of this study was to compare (a) forces generated during lateral compaction and (b) apical microleakage for nickel-titanium (NiTi) and stainless steel (SS) finger spreaders. Twenty-eight extracted human teeth were instrumented using a standardized rotary instrumentation technique. NiTi and SS #30 spreaders were used to obturate molar roots while the forces generated during obturation were measured on a Universal testing machine. Apical microleakage was determined using a fluid filtration method. There was no significant difference in microleakage between spreaders. NiTi spreaders produced significantly less force than SS spreaders in all specimens (p < 0.001).     

Cyclic Fatigue Analysis of a New Generation of Nickel Titanium Rotary Instruments

Recently, a new generation of nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments including the Twisted File (TF; Sybron Dental Specialties, Orange, CA) and ProFile GT Series X (GTX; Denstply, Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK) was introduced to the market. The purpose of this study was to determine if these new NiTi instruments were more resistant to cyclic fatigue compared with traditionally ground NiTi rotary instruments such as EndoSequence (ES; Brasseler, Savannah, GA) and ProFile (PF; Dentsply, Tulsa Dental Specialties). Size #25 TF, ES, and PF and size #20 GTX with .04 and .06 tapers were tested in a simulated canal with 60° angle of curvature and a 3-mm radius. The number of rotations until fracture was recorded for each instrument. Among both .04 and .06 tapered files, #20 GTX files performed significantly better than all other files tested with tip sizes of #25 (p < 0.001); this may be because of the increased flexibility in the #20 files compared with #25 files. TF was significantly more resistant to cyclic fatigue than ES (p < 0.05) but not different from PF (p > 0.05) with the same tip size. The new manufacturing processes appeared to offer greater resistance to cyclic fatigue in a simulated canal model.     

Effect of spreader and accessory cone size on density of obturation using conventional or mechanical lateral condensation

A simulated curved root canal in a resin block was enlarged to size 40 and used to compare the depth of accessory cone penetration and weight of obturation occurring with the use of different obturation techniques and spreader-accessory cone combinations. Twelve groups, each consisting of 10 obturations, were created. A conventional lateral condensation technique was used in six groups and a mechanical lateral condensation (MLC) technique was used in six matched groups. The six spreader-accessory cone combinations were either Fine-Medium or Fine nickel-titanium finger spreaders with either Fine, Medium-Fine, or size 25 accessory cones. Seven accessory cones were placed in every obturation. The depth of each accessory cone penetration into the canal was measured. After each obturation the gutta-percha was removed, sectioned, and the resulting mass was weighed. The means for each variable were determined and compared. MLC fills were significantly heavier and had greater depth of penetration on average than conventional lateral condensation. The best combination for heavy fills was MLC, Fine-Medium spreaders, and Fine accessory cones. The greatest mean accessory cone depth occurred with MLC, Fine-Medium spreaders, and size 25 accessory cones.     

Dentinal Tubule Penetration and Retreatability of a Calcium Silicate–based Sealer Tested in Bulk or with Different Main Core Material

IntroductionThe aim of this study was 2-fold: to evaluate the penetration of a tricalcium silicate–based endodontic sealer (EndoSequence BC Sealer; Brasseler USA, Savannah, GA) into dentinal tubules without a core material (sealer) or with .02 or .04 tapered bioceramic gutta-percha points and to compare the time required to remove the root fillings .MethodsRoots of extracted human mandibular incisors (N = 60) were prepared with 0.04 taper nickel-titanium rotary files to #35 and randomly assigned into 3 groups (n = 10/group) according to the obturation method used:1. obturating with sealer only,2. sealer + .02 point, and3. sealer + .04 point. The sealer was labeled with rhodamine B for analyzing dentinal tubule penetration under a confocal laser scanning microscope. The remaining specimens (n = 30) were used to measure the time for removal of the root canal fillings with retreatment files. The data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and post hoc Games-Howell tests for dentinal tubule penetration and the Kruskal-Wallis test for retreatment time.ResultsSignificantly greater sealer penetration and sealer-penetrated area was achieved when the sealer was used with a .04 gutta point (P < .05), whereas there was no difference between the sealer and .02 gutta point groups (P > .05). All test groups showed a similar depth of sealer penetration (P > .05). Groups with the gutta-percha points required a similar time to remove root filling (P > .05), whereas the working length could not be achieved in the sealer group.ConclusionsThe use of a matched-taper bioceramic gutta-percha point enhanced the dentinal tubule penetration of the tested tricalcium silicate–based sealer. The use of a core material in conjunction with sealer facilitates removal of the root filling to the working length.     

A comparative study of root canal preparation with NiTi-TEE and K3 rotary Ni-Ti instruments

Aim To evaluate and compare several parameters of curved root canal preparation using two different Ni‐Ti systems: NiTi‐TEE (Sjöding Sendoline, Kista, Sweden) and K3 (Sybron Endo, Orange County, CA, USA). Methodology Fifty extracted mandibular molars with mesial root canal curvatures ranging from 20 to 40° were divided into two groups. In one group, 50 root canals were instrumented using NiTi‐TEE files to an apical size 30; 0.04 taper (the largest available size at the time of this study). In the other group, 50 root canals were prepared with K3 instruments to an apical size 45; 02 taper. Both systems were used in a crowndown manner, with copious NaOCl (3%) irrigation and a chelating agent (Calcinase Slide, lege artis, Dettenhausen, Germany), employing torque‐controlled motors. For assessment of shaping ability, pre‐ and postinstrumentation radiographs and cross‐sectional photographs of canals were taken and changes in canal curvature and root canal diameter documented. Cleaning ability was evaluated by investigating specimens of the apical, medial and coronal third of the root canal wall under a scanning electron microscope using 5‐score indices for debris and smear layer. Procedural errors (instrument separations, perforations, apical blockages, loss of working length) and working time were recorded. Nonparametric anova was used to compare straightening of canal curvatures, canal cross‐sections and canal wall cleanliness (P < 0.05), whereas working time was analysed using the parametric anova (P < 0.05). Results Both Ni‐Ti systems maintained curvature well: the mean degree of straightening was 0.2° for NiTi‐TEE and 0.4° for K3 with no statistical significance between the groups. Post‐instrumentation cross‐sections of the root canals revealed an acceptable contour (round or oval) in 50.6% of cases for the NiTi‐TEE group and in 65.3% of cases for the K3 group. The difference was not significant. The SEM investigation of canal walls showed equally good debris removal for both systems: NiTi‐TEE prepared canal walls in 74.7% of cases with scores I and II; K3 achieved these scores in 78.7% of cases. For smear layer, NiTi‐TEE and K3 only received good scores (I and II) in 38.7% and 40% of canal wall specimens, respectively. For both parameters, no significant differences were found between groups. File fractures did not occur, but loss of working length was observed in one case following the preparation with NiTi‐TEE and in three cases during K3 instrumentation. Mean working time was significantly shorter for NiTi‐TEE (170 s) than for K3 (208 s). Conclusions Both systems maintained original canal curvature well and were safe to use. Whilst debridement of canals was considered satisfactory, both systems failed to remove smear layer sufficiently.     

Comparison of nickel-titanium and stainless-steel spreader penetration and accessory cone fit in curved canals

The purpose of this study was to compare nickel-titanium and stainless-steel spreader penetration in curved canals. Twenty prepared plastic blocks with a 30 degrees curvature were used for each part of the study. In part 1, the force required to insert each spreader to within 1 mm of working length in an empty canal was measured. In part 2, the force required to insert each spreader to within 3 mm of working length was measured in a canal containing a master cone. In part 3, the depth of penetration of each spreader with a master cone in place using a 1.5 kg force was measured. Additionally, in part 3, the depth of penetration of the first accessory cone was measured. The results from part 1 showed that a nickel-titanium spreader required significantly less force than a stainless-steel spreader (0.30 kg vs. 0.59 kg). In part 2, a nickel-titanium spreader required significantly less force than a stainless-steel spreader (1.56 kg vs. 2.42 kg). In part 3, a nickel-titanium spreader penetrated significantly deeper than a stainless-steel spreader (15.0 mm vs. 14.0 mm). There was no significant difference in the depth of penetration of the first accessory cone used after either spreader (0.8 mm vs. 0.7 mm). Therefore, the potential for vertical root fracture in curved canals during lateral condensation may be minimized by using nickel-titanium spreaders.     

The influence of canal curvature on the mechanical efficacy of root canal irrigation in vitro using real-time imaging of bioluminescent bacteria

There are no quantitative data on the mechanical efficacy of irrigation in the removal of bacteria from curved canals. This study quantitatively analyzed the effects of root canal curvature and preparation size on the mechanical efficacy of irrigation using 33 mandibular single-rooted bicuspids allocated to groups according to root canal curvatures, group 1 (straight) 4 to 8 degrees, group 2 (intermediate curvature) 15 to 19 degrees, and group 3 (greatest curvature) 24 to 28 degrees. Teeth were sequentially instrumented to sizes 27/.04, 36/.04, and 46/.04 using a crown-down technique. Suspensions of the bioluminescent reporter strain Pseudomonas fluorescens 5RL (1.5 x 10(6) cells) were inoculated into canals of sterilized teeth after each sequential instrumentation. Canals were irrigated with 6 ml of irrigant delivered 1 mm from working length using a 30-gauge needle. Remaining bacteria were quantified using real-time bioluminescent imaging. Irrigation was significantly less effective in 24 to 28 degrees curvature canals prepared to size 27/.04 compared to 46/.04 (p < 0.007, repeated-measures ANOVA).     

An ex vivo comparison of three different gutta-percha cones when compacted at different temperatures: rheological considerations in relation to the filling of lateral canals

AIM: To compare ex vivo the penetration of three brands of gutta-percha cones, compacted under a constant force and heated to different temperatures, into artificial lateral canals. METHODOLOGY: Resin blocks with simulated main canals, each having two lateral canals (C at 6.5 and A at 13 mm from the surface of the resin block), were selected. A gutta-percha cone, either Mynol MF, Hygenic MF or GT Tulsa 0.04 was compacted into each main canal for 5 s using a wire rod with a diameter of 0.7 mm soldered to the bottom of a metal cylinder, with a force of 2.7 kg at controlled temperatures of 37, 42, 47, 52, 60 degrees C. The penetration of each brand of gutta-percha into 60 lateral canals (10 at each temperature) was measured using a stereomicroscope. Statistical analysis was performed using the ANOVA, the Scheffè test and the t-test. RESULTS: None of the three brands of cones entered up to 0.1 mm within either lateral canal until a temperature of 47 degrees C was reached; at that temperature only Mynol cones (P < or = 0.05) penetrated in four of 10 A-level canals (mean 0.13 +/- 0.19 mm) and in all 10 C-level canals (mean 0.43 +/- 0.12 mm). The A-level lateral canals were penetrated at 52 degrees C by Mynol cones (mean 0.76 +/- 0.34 mm) to a significantly greater distance (P < or = 0.05) than Tulsa cones (mean 0.31 +/- 0.12 mm) and Hygenic cones (mean 0.11 +/- 0.08 mm). At 60 degrees C the Mynol cones (mean 1.93 +/- 0.34 mm) penetrated significantly more (P < or = 0.05) than the Tulsa cones (mean 0.86 +/- 0.22 mm) and Hygenic cones (mean 0.67 +/- 0.19 mm). The C-level lateral canals were penetrated at 52 degrees C by Mynol cones (mean 0.91 +/- 0.29 mm) to a significantly greater distance (P < or = 0.05) than Tulsa cones (mean 0.47 +/- 0.16 mm) and Hygenic cones (mean 0.46 +/- 0.15 mm), whilst no significant difference was found at 60 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: When heated and compacted, the three gutta-percha cones penetrated the lateral canals to different degrees. They penetrated more than 0.43 mm into the lateral canals only at temperatures higher than 47 degrees C.     

Analysis of continuous-wave obturation using a single-cone and hybrid technique

This study analyzed the adaptation of gutta-percha to prepared root canal walls using two obturation techniques and determined the influence of the System-B plugger depth on filling adaptation. Fifty-six extracted human mandibular molars were instrumented using Profile NiTi rotary instruments, stratified based on curvature, then randomly distributed into two groups. Group 1 was obturated using the single-cone continuous-wave technique. Group 2 was obturated with a hybrid technique: lateral condensation followed by a continuous-wave down-pack. Based on System-B plugger penetration, teeth were divided into three subgroups: (a) < 3.5 mm, (b) 3.5 to 4.5 mm, and (c) > 4.5 mm. Roots were horizontally sectioned at 1 mm and 3 mm coronal to the apical foramen, stained, and photographed. Four evaluators scored the adaptation of gutta-percha to the prepared canal walls. In 100% (n = 56) of the samples, no statistically significant difference existed between the two obturation methods at 1-mm (x = 1.80, SD +/- 0.69) or 3-mm (x = 1.804, SD +/- 0.69) sections. Best results were obtained with a plugger depth 3.5 to 4.5 mm from the working length.     

An In-vitro evaluation of the influence of canal curvature on the sealing ability of Thermafil

The sealing ability of lateral condensation and Thermafil were compared in root canals with curvatures either greater or less than 25 degrees. Forty-eight canals in roots of extracted human mandibular molar teeth were divided into four groups of 12. The root canals in two groups had curvatures of less than 25° and the remaining two groups had canals with curvatures greater than 25°. Four canals acted as positive and negative controls. All canals were enlarged to accept a size 30 file to the working length and flared using the step-back technique. Roth's sealer was used in all canals. Lateral condensation and Thermafil obturators thermoplasticized in an open flame were used to obturate two groups each of canals, one group with curvatures greater than 25° and the other less than 25°. After immersion in India ink, the teeth were rendered transparent and the linear penetration of dye measured. It was found that Thermafil sealed significantly better than lateral condensation in canals with curvatures greater than 25° (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the techniques in the groups with canal curvature less than 25°. There was no significant difference in the performance of each of the techniques when analysed with respect to canal curvature.     

Quality of apical seal in curved canals using three types of spreaders

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of spreader shape on the quality of obturation. Forty-five single canal teeth with varying degrees of apical curvature were used throughout. The canals were prepared using the step-back technique and obturated with lateral condensation. The teeth were classified into three groups (A, B, and C) and treated as follows. Group A was treated with markedly conical, flat-ended spreaders (A to D; Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). Group B was treated with slightly conical (15 to 40) sharp-pointed CC-cord spreaders. Group C was treated with CC-cord, slightly conical but flat-ended spreaders. The obturated teeth were decalcified in 7.5% nitric acid to obtain four cross-sections: the first at 2 mm from the apex and then the following three sections at 1-mm intervals. Section thickness was approximately 1 mm. Each section was photographed under a stereoscopic microscope. The following areas were measured on each of the microphotographs using a planimeter: (a) gutta-percha mass, (b) mass of sealer, (c) foreign bodies, and (d) empty spaces. These four areas were added to determine total cross-sectional canal area and then the percent of that area attributable to a and to b + c + d was calculated. The statistical analysis of the data (parametric Student's t test for independent groups) revealed that only in group B was the area occupied by a, the gutta-percha mass, significantly greater at all levels than the area occupied by b + c + d. Next in obturation effectiveness was group C, followed by group A.     

Adaptation and sealability of two contemporary obturation techniques in the absence of the dentinal smear layer

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptation and short- and long-term sealability of two different thermoplastic techniques--a core carrier technique, Thermafil; and a warm vertical continuous wave of compaction technique, System B. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-one mesial roots of mandibular molars with separate canals, patent canal orifices and curvature greater than 15 degrees were cleaned and shaped with Orifice Shapers and ProFile.04/.06 taper Ni-Ti rotary files using 5.25% NaOCl and 17% REDTA to a size 30.04 taper Profile at the apex to create a continuous tapered preparation. Canals were randomly obturated with Sealapex root canal sealer and either alpha-phase gutta-percha on a plastic Thermafil carrier, or nonstandardized beta-phase gutta-percha using the System B heat source. Proximal radiographs of roots were evaluated by three examiners based on established criteria for overall material adaptation, apical adaptation and filling material extrusion. Teeth were randomly separated into three groups of 17 each and placed in black India ink for 10 days, 24 h, or after 67 days storage in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution. All roots were demineralized and rendered transparent. Three examiners evaluated the apical leakage by the linear measurement of dye penetration under the stereo-microscope. The movement of filling material into canal irregularities was also evaluated. RESULTS: Both obturation techniques were not significantly different in the overall canal obturation and in the apical third adaptation (P > 0.05). Significantly more filling material extrusion beyond the apex was noted with the Thermafil technique (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found amongst the 67-day, 10-day and 24 h System B groups (P > 0.05). The 67-day Thermafil group showed significantly more leakage than the 10-day and 24 h Thermafil groups. There was a significant difference in the degree of leakage between the 67-day Thermafil group and the 67-day System B group (P < 0.05), but not between the 10-day and 24 h groups (P > 0.05). Both obturation techniques produced substantial filling material movement into canal irregularities. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that Thermafil demonstrated more filling material extrusion beyond the apex and significantly more long-term apical leakage.