Micro-computed tomography assessment of different obturation techniques for filling lateral canals.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate obturation depth and volume by means of micro-CT when filling lateral canals.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty single-rooted teeth were used. After instrumentation, three artificial lateral canals were created on each mesial and distal surface (one on each third). The samples were then separated randomly into three groups according to the obturation technique used (n=10): lateral condensation (Group 1), Tagger's hybrid technique (Group 2) and GuttaCore™ (Group 3). Samples were scanned and data was processed with Avizo software. Depth and volume of the infilling were measured in each lateral canal. Values were expressed as percentages and were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS

Mean depth showed statistically significant differences between Group 3 and Groups 1 (=0.001) and 2 (=0.003), whereas no significant difference was found between Groups 1 and 2 (≈1). As for mean volume, significant differences were found between Group 3 and Groups 1 (=0.01) and 2 (=0.003) but no differences were found between Groups 1 and 2 (=1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

GuttaCore provided the best lateral canal sealing among the three techniques compared. Lateral canals, Micro-CT, obturation.