Assessment of different gutta-percha brands during the filling of simulated lateral canals.

AIM

To compare the ability of five different commercially available gutta-percha points to fill simulated lateral canals when subjected to warm vertical compaction.

METHODOLOGY

Fifty clear plastic teeth with a lateral canal in each third of the root were used. All teeth were filled using warm vertical compaction. Backfilling was completed with a sealer and the same gutta-percha point used during the apical condensation. After this, they were horizontally sectioned using a diamond disc adapted to a low-speed saw. The resulting sections were embedded in epoxy resin. The extent of gutta-percha and sealer filling were measured in each lateral canal using an IMAGE-PRO 4.0 software system. The voids in each canal were measured using the same system. Data were ranked and analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis statistical test.

RESULTS

The mean percentage of the three lateral canals filled with gutta-percha and sealer were respectively: Konne (68.23% and 24.50%), Analytic (67.90% and 25.28%), Obtura (63.80% and 29.60%), Tanari (49.42% and 45.86%) and Dentsply (44.60% and 47.05%). There was significantly (P < 0.05) more gutta-percha in the lateral canal filled with Analytic, Obtura and Konne points than with Tanari and Dentsply points.

CONCLUSIONS

The brand of gutta-percha cone had an influence on the length of filling within lateral canals. This may be a reflection of the chemical formulation of the gutta-percha points.