Apical seal of teeth obturated by the laterally condensed gutta-percha, the Thermafil plastic and Thermafil metal obturator techniques after post space preparation.

This in vitro study was conducted to determine the effect of post space preparation on teeth obturated with the Thermafil technique, both plastic and metal carriers, and the lateral condensation method. Three groups of 30 teeth each were obturated using the lateral condensation technique and the Thermafil plastic and metal techniques. Post space preparations were accomplished on the obturated groups. All specimens were submerged in India ink under a vacuum for 15 min and then soaked for an additional hour at atmospheric pressure. The teeth were decalcified and cleared to permit visualization and measurement of the extent of dye penetration. There was approximately three times more dye penetration in group 2 (plastic carrier) when compared with group 1 (lateral condensation) and group 3 (metal carrier). This was statistically significant at the 99% confidence level.