title: Obturation of a C-shaped canal using an improved method of warm lateral condensation.
abstract: Pilot studies conducted by the authors seem to indicate that obturation of a root canal system by the lateral condensation of gutta-percha using an electrically heated spreader results in a more homogeneous mass of gutta-percha than standard lateral condensation. This article describes an improved variation which prevents inadvertent dislodgement of the mass of gutta-percha during the obturation. The authors refer to this technique as "zap and tap" and a case report describes its use to obturate a C-shaped canal system of a mandibular second molar.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Postgraduate Dental School, U.S. Army Dental Activity, Fort Gordon, GA.
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Liewehr
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kulild
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Primack
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
chemical_list: D006171:Gutta-Percha