A comparison of apical seal of gutta percha obtained by different compaction techniques : in vitro study

Abstract EN

Background: To compare the apical seal provided by gutta-percha compacted by three different compaction techniques; these were cold lateral compaction technique, ultrasonic compaction technique, and combination compaction technique.

Materials and methods: Thirty human single canal roots of recently extracted teeth were selected.

The teeth were cleaned and their crowns were sectioned at a point approximately 3 mm from the CEJ.

The roots were embedded in custom made acrylic socket to facilitate grasping during the obturation procedure.

The samples were divided into three groups of ten samples according to the obturation technique used and each sample was radiographed buccolingully and mesiodistally.

After storage period of 7 days was ended to allow the sealer to set; the roots were immersed in 2% Methylene blue dye for 48 hours.

Then the roots were split longitudinally and the linear measurements of apical dye penetration were made with stereomicroscope.

Results: No Significant differences were found between the different compaction techniques used in the study regarding the linear dye leakage measurements although cold lateral compaction technique showed the highest mean value of dye penetration followed by ultrasonic compaction technique, while the combination compaction technique showed the lowest mean of dye penetration.

Therefore, all the techniques have nearly the same apical sealing ability and no technique provide perfect apical seal.

Conclusion: The results of dye leakage measurements showed that all the techniques used in the study have nearly the same apical sealing ability and no technique provide perfect apical seal.

Keywords: Apical leakage, compaction, gutta-percha, ultrasonics.

(J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2007; 19(1) 28-34)