An in vitro comparison of three thermal gutta percha systems

Aim The aim of this study was to compare the ability of three contemporary obturation techniques to resist microleakage, using root canals prepared in extracted single rooted teeth by a standardized method. Methodology The shaping technique involved the use of tapered nickel titanium rotary files to create a uniform 0.08‐mm/mm taper. Six groups were compared, two representing control groups, a third group being obturated with a warm vertical condensation technique, a fourth group by an injection thermoplasticized system, a fifth group with a thermomechanical compaction method and a sixth group using cold lateral condensation. A zinc oxide/eugenol sealer was used as the sealant in all the obturation procedures. Forty‐six extracted teeth were used in the study, three teeth in each control group and 10 teeth in each of the remaining four groups. Microleakage was compared using dye leakage with Indian ink. Penetration of the dye at the gutta percha/dentine interface was visualized after the root had been rendered transparent. Dye leakage was then measured from four aspects with the use of a stereomicroscope and export of a digital image to a software package, to facilitate accurate assessment of dye penetration. Two parameters were measured for each sample, the mean dye penetration and maximum dye penetration. Results The mean values for linear dye leakage in the thermomechanical compaction group was 0.53 mm, the warm vertical condensation group was 0.73 mm, the injection thermoplasticized group was 0.15 mm and the cold lateral condensation group was 0.53 mm. There was no statistical difference between the means of the different groups (P > 0.05). The mean of the maximum values for dye leakage in the thermomechanical compaction group was 0.65 mm, the warm vertical condensation group was 1.02 mm, the injection‐thermoplasticized group was 0.28 mm and the cold lateral condensation group was 0.74 mm. There was no statistical difference between the means of the different groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions Within the conditions of this study, there was no statistical difference between the different groups with respect to either mean or maximum dye leakage.