Evaluation of intracanal sealer distribution with 5 different obturation techniques

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the distribution patterns of sealer relative to the gutta-percha and the canal wall following the use of different obturation techniques: vertical condensation, Obtura II, System B, SimpliFill, and Thermafil Plus; lateral condensation was used as a comparison. Methods and Materials: One hundred five extracted single-rooted teeth were divided into 5 groups of 20 according to obturation technique, with 5 in the lateral condensation group. Instrumentation technique and sealer selection were based on the manufacturer's recommendations. Following obturation, teeth were stored for 4 months at 37˚C in 100% humidity. Roots were split longitudinally and halves were examined under a stereomicroscope (310) to determine the amount of sealer coverage between the gutta-percha and canal wall. Coverage was categorized as slight (0 to 1/3), low partial (1/3 to 2/3), high partial (2/3 to 9/10), and complete (9/10 to 10/10). Results: Different techniques showed different patterns, but no obturation technique had sealer forming a continuous layer between the gutta-percha and canal wall. The vertical condensation group generally had low partial coverage. Obtura II was the only group to have slight coverage, which occurred in the coronal half. Coronal and apical halves in both the System B and Thermafil Plus groups had the most samples with high partial coverage. SimpliFill had the most samples with complete coverage in both the coronal and the apical portions. All lateral condensation samples showed low partial coverage. Conclusion: Sealer distribution patterns were incomplete and inconsistent, regardless of the obturation technique. No technique had sealer forming a continuous layer between the gutta-percha and canal wall. Keywords: obturation, root canal treatment, sealer