title: Effect of mechanical versus thermal removal of gutta-percha on the quality of the apical seal following post space preparation.
abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of a flame-heated endodontic plugger, an electrically-heated endodontic spreader, Peeso reamers, and GPX burs on the apical seal when gutta-percha was removed from the root canal for post space preparation. Eighty-nine human canines were instrumented and obturated with gutta-percha and sealer to a standardized working length of 15 mm. An 11-mm segment of gutta-percha was removed from the roots in each of the four experimental groups of 20 teeth to simulate post space preparation. The teeth were immersed in India ink for 7 days and rendered transparent. The extent of linear dye leakage was measured with a stereomicroscope. There was no statistically significant difference in linear dye leakage among any of the experimental groups when 4 mm of gutta-percha remained.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hiltner
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kulild
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Weller
mesh_terms: D003762:Dental Instruments; D003763:Dental Leakage; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006801:Humans; D011176:Post and Core Technique; D019233:Retreatment; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019227:Tooth Apex; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital
chemical_list: D006171:Gutta-Percha