Lisa C Selem1, Guo-hua Li2, Li-na Niu3, Brian E Bergeron1, Eduardo A Bortoluzzi4, Ji-hua Chen3, David H Pashley5, Franklin R Tay6. 1. Department of Endodontics, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia. 2. Department of Stomatology, Fuzhou Dongfang Hospital, Fuzhou, China. 3. State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. 4. Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. 5. Department of Oral Biology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia. 6. Department of Endodontics, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia. Electronic address: ftay@gru.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The present study examined the quality of obturation in root canals filled by an experimental non-gutta-percha-based (NGP) root filling system using warm vertical or cold lateral compaction. The quality of obturation was evaluated by comparing the volumetric percentage of gaps and voids identified from similar canals obturated with gutta-percha and an epoxy resin-based sealer using the same obturation techniques. METHODS: Forty single-rooted premolars with oval-shaped canals were cleaned, shaped, and obturated with 1 of the 4 material/obturation technique combinations (n = 10). Filled canals were scanned with micro-computed tomographic imaging. Reconstructed images were analyzed for the volumetric percentage of gaps and voids at 3 canal levels (0-4, 4-8, and 8-12 mm from the working length). Roots were sectioned at the 4-mm, 8-mm, and 12-mm levels. Scanning electron microscopic images of negative replicas of root sections were examined to quantify the circumferential percentage of interfacial gaps and the area percentage of intracanal voids. Data were analyzed with parametric or nonparametric statistical methods. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found for the volumetric percentage distribution of gaps and voids for "obturation technique" but not for "material." Significantly higher percentages of gaps and voids were identified in canals obturated with the NGP system using cold lateral compaction. Examination of negative replicas ascribed this difference to a higher area percentage of interfacial gaps rather than more intracanal voids. CONCLUSIONS: Using warm vertical compaction, the NGP system fulfils the objective of 3-dimensional obturation of the canal space in a manner comparable with the results achieved with gutta-percha and a root canal sealer.
INTRODUCTION: The present study examined the quality of obturation in root canals filled by an experimental non-gutta-percha-based (NGP) root filling system using warm vertical or cold lateral compaction. The quality of obturation was evaluated by comparing the volumetric percentage of gaps and voids identified from similar canals obturated with gutta-percha and an epoxy resin-based sealer using the same obturation techniques. METHODS: Forty single-rooted premolars with oval-shaped canals were cleaned, shaped, and obturated with 1 of the 4 material/obturation technique combinations (n = 10). Filled canals were scanned with micro-computed tomographic imaging. Reconstructed images were analyzed for the volumetric percentage of gaps and voids at 3 canal levels (0-4, 4-8, and 8-12 mm from the working length). Roots were sectioned at the 4-mm, 8-mm, and 12-mm levels. Scanning electron microscopic images of negative replicas of root sections were examined to quantify the circumferential percentage of interfacial gaps and the area percentage of intracanal voids. Data were analyzed with parametric or nonparametric statistical methods. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found for the volumetric percentage distribution of gaps and voids for "obturation technique" but not for "material." Significantly higher percentages of gaps and voids were identified in canals obturated with the NGP system using cold lateral compaction. Examination of negative replicas ascribed this difference to a higher area percentage of interfacial gaps rather than more intracanal voids. CONCLUSIONS: Using warm vertical compaction, the NGP system fulfils the objective of 3-dimensional obturation of the canal space in a manner comparable with the results achieved with gutta-percha and a root canal sealer.