Fluid-transport evaluation of lateral condensation, ProTaper gutta-percha and warm vertical condensation obturation techniques.

The purpose of this study was to compare the microleakage of four obturation techniques (lateral condensation, lateral condensation of ProTaper Gutta-percha, single ProTaper Gutta-percha and warm vertical condensation) over a 3-month period. A fluid-transport model was used to measure microleakage. Sixty human-extracted teeth, divided into four groups, were prepared with ProTaper rotary instruments before the root canals were filled by one of the four examined techniques. All groups were obturated using Sultan as a root canal sealer. Microleakage was measured 7 days, 1 month and 3 months after the procedures. There were no statistically significant differences between the four groups at any of examination points (P > 0.05). The leakage was increased in all obturation techniques over the 3-month period.