Assessment of Apical Seal Using Three Condensation Techniques

Objectives:

This study was conducted to compare the apical sealing ability of two thermoplasticized gutta-percha obturation techniques (System B and Thermafil) to that of lateral condensation technique.

Materisls and Methods:

A step back preparation was performed in a total of 95 extracted human teeth with single root canals. Teeth were randomly divided into three experimental groups (25 teeth each) and two control groups (10 teeth each). Each experimental group was obturated with one of the three different techniques and the roots were covered with two layers of nail polish except the apical 3 mm. The positive control was not obturated and was covered with two layers of nail polish except the apical 3 mm. The negative control group was obturated with lateral condensation and the roots were completely covered with two layers of nail polish. The teeth were immersed in 2% methylene blue dye for 7 days. The teeth were then split longitudinally and the maximum extend of apical dye penetration was measured.

Results:

It was demonstrated that both the thermoplasticized gutta-percha techniques yielded significant (p<0.001) better apical seal than the lateral condensation. There was no significant (P=0.577) difference between either of the thermoplastic technique.

Conclusion:

It was concluded that the two thermoplasticized techniques could be considered good alternatives for the lateral condensation technique.