Apical microleakage after lateral condensation, hybrid gutta-percha condensation and Soft-Core obturation: an in vitro evaluation.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the apical seal of root canals filled with a cold lateral condensation, a hybrid gutta-percha condensation technique and with Soft-Core obturators. Three groups of 35 maxillary anterior teeth and four control anterior teeth were treated with a crown-down/step-back technique. All roots were submerged in India ink for 1 week. The roots were cleared and the degree of linear dye penetration was measured. The mean apical leakage for the Soft-Core technique was at least twice as extensive as for the two other gutta-percha obturation techniques. No statistically significant differences were found between the two other condensation techniques.