An in-vitro comparative evaluation of temperature rise at the root surface caused by two thermoplasticized gutta percha obturation techniques.

This study measured and compared the heat generated at the apical 2 mm of the outer root surface of extracted human anterior teeth during obturation of the root canal with thermally softened gutta percha. The teeth were divided into four groups of ten teeth each. In the first group, the teeth were obturated with obtura II system with a sealer. In the second group, the teeth were obturated with obtura II and the sealer was not used. The third group was filled with gutta percha and sealer using Endotec endodontic condenser. In the fourth group, the teeth obturated with the same technique as group III but without the use of a sealer. The highest temperature recorded was 5.9% C with Endotec technique without the use of a sealer and the lowest temperature measured was 3.3 degrees C with obtura II system and a sealer. The use of sealer seems to lower the temperature generated to the outer root surface. The results of this study indicated that the temperature rise on the outer surface of the root during obturation with thermally softened gutta percha was minimal and might not be damaging to the supporting tissues.