A Comperative Study of the Percentage of Gutta-percha Filled Area of Four Thermal Gutta-percha Canal Obturation Techniques

Objective: To compare the percentage of gutta-percha filled area (PGFA) in the root canals filled with warm vertical condensation (WVC), Obtura II, ultrasonic lateral condensation (ULC), and cold lateral condensation (CLC). Methods: Four groups (total 80) of extracted human teeth with single root were instrumented. The prepared canals were randomly divided into four groups (n = 20). Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were obturated with CLC, WVC, Obtura II, and ULC, respectively. Horizontal sections were cut at 3, 6 and 9 mm from the apical foramen (AF) of each tooth. The cross-sectional areas of the canal and gutta-percha were measured using an image-analysis program, and the PGFA was calculated. Results: The PGFAs in both the WVC and Obtura II groups were significantly higher than those of CLC (P 0.05). There was no difference in the PGFA between the WVC and Obtura II groups (P > 0.05). A significant difference between ULC and CLC in PGFA was only observed at 3 mm from the AF of the root. Conclusion: WVC and Obtura II produced significantly higher PGFAs than those produced using ULC and CLC techniques Keywords: gutta-percha filled area, root canal obturation, warm gutta-percha