title: Analysis of continuous-wave obturation using a single-cone and hybrid technique.
abstract: This study analyzed the adaptation of gutta-percha to prepared root canal walls using two obturation techniques and determined the influence of the System-B plugger depth on filling adaptation. Fifty-six extracted human mandibular molars were instrumented using Profile NiTi rotary instruments, stratified based on curvature, then randomly distributed into two groups. Group 1 was obturated using the single-cone continuous-wave technique. Group 2 was obturated with a hybrid technique: lateral condensation followed by a continuous-wave down-pack. Based on System-B plugger penetration, teeth were divided into three subgroups: (a) < 3.5 mm, (b) 3.5 to 4.5 mm, and (c) > 4.5 mm. Roots were horizontally sectioned at 1 mm and 3 mm coronal to the apical foramen, stained, and photographed. Four evaluators scored the adaptation of gutta-percha to the prepared canal walls. In 100% (n = 56) of the samples, no statistically significant difference existed between the two obturation methods at 1-mm (x = 1.80, SD +/- 0.69) or 3-mm (x = 1.804, SD +/- 0.69) sections. Best results were obtained with a plugger depth 3.5 to 4.5 mm from the working length.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Garrett M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Guess
authors.forename: Kevin R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Ming-Lung
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Mian K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Syngcuk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar; D011897:Random Allocation; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D006171:Gutta-Percha