title: Comparison of cold lateral condensation and a warm multiphase gutta-percha technique for obturating curved root canals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this project was to evaluate and compare the radiographic quality and sealability of root fillings in extracted human teeth using lateral condensation of gutta-percha or multiphase gutta-percha obturation (Alphaseal).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 108 freshly extracted human, mature single-rooted teeth were divided into two identical groups of 54 teeth on the basis of root canal shape. The canals were prepared to a minimum 0.055 taper and enlarged to size 35 at the apex. All root canals were flushed with 17% EDTA solution and 2.5% NaOCl to remove the dentinal smear layer. The canals of one group were obturated using cold lateral condensation of gutta-percha and the canals of the other group were filled using a warm multiphase gutta-percha obturation technique. The extrusion of sealer and/or gutta-percha through the apex of the teeth was recorded using a simple yes/no scheme. The sealability of each technique was assessed by a dye penetration method. The radiographic quality of obturation was determined for each canal using a four-point scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Root canals filled by multiphase obturation had significantly more extrusion of sealer (P < 0.001) and gutta-percha (P < 0.001) than canals filled by lateral condensation. Canals filled by multiphase gutta-percha obturation had significantly less apical dye leakage than those obturated by lateral condensation (P < 0.05). Lateral condensation achieved significantly better scores for radiographic quality than multiphase obturation from the bucco-lingual view (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Under laboratory conditions multiphase gutta-percha had better sealability but poorer radiographic quality than lateral condensation.
authors: Dental School, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK.
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: Gilhooly
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Hayes
authors: S T
authors: ST
authors: Bryant
authors: P M
authors: PM
authors: Dummer
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins; D003763:Dental Leakage / Q000209:etiology; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000209:etiology; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; C024804:TP 2206; D006171:Gutta-Percha