Filling of simulated lateral canals with gutta percha or resilon when using thermomechanical compaction.

AIMS

To evaluate the filling of simulated lateral canals with gutta-percha or Resilon when using thermomechanical compaction.

SETTING AND DESIGN

Forty-five human single-rooted teeth were subjected to tooth decalcification and clearing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After root canal preparation, artificial lateral canals were made at 2, 5, and 8 mm from the working length (WL), corresponding to the apical, middle, and cervical thirds, respectively. The specimens were divided (n = 15) according to the filling material: Dentsply gutta-percha (GD), Odous gutta-percha (GO), and Resilon cones (RE). Root canals were obturated by thermomechanical compaction using a #45 compactor and no sealer. Lateral canals were analyzed by digital radiography and digital images after tooth decalcification and clearing using the Image Tool software.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Data were subjected to the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests at 5% significance.

RESULTS

In the coronal third, RE and GO presented more filling ability than GD (P < 0.05). In the middle and apical thirds, RE presented the best results.

CONCLUSIONS

Resilon demonstrated filling ability as material for root canal obturation by using thermomechanical compaction.