Comparison of MicroSeal and System B/Obtura II obturation techniques.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the proportion of gutta-percha, sealer and voids following the filling of simulated root canals in plastic blocks using two warm gutta-percha techniques.


METHODS
Ten simulated root canals in plastic blocks were prepared using System GT Rotary Files and a.02 taper size 40 Quantec rotary nickel-titanium instrument and then filled with MicroSeal and Kerr EWT sealer. A further 10 simulated canals were prepared solely with System GT Rotary Files and obturated with System B/Obtura II and Kerr EWT sealer. All blocks were sectioned at 1 mm intervals. The sectioned root fillings were photographed through a stereomicroscope and the resultant slides scanned. The images were analysed using adobe photoshop 6.0 to give the proportions of gutta-percha, sealer or void at each level. The data were analysed using unpaired Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test.


RESULTS
The MicroSeal technique produced a dense homogeneous gutta-percha fill at the apical 1 and 2 mm levels similar to the System B/Obtura II technique, but further coronally the sealer became mixed into the MicroFlow gutta-percha producing a heterogeneous mass with significantly less (P < 0.05) solid gutta-percha in the root filling compared to System B/Obtura II. The MicroSeal technique generally had more pooling of cement than the System B technique, however, this was only significantly different (P < 0.05) at the 4 mm level. The System B/Obtura II obturation gave an average of 99.27% +/- 1.09 gutta-percha fill at all levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The MicroSeal technique produced a heterogeneous fill consisting of the MicroFlow Master Cone and gutta-percha from the MicroFlow Cartridge mixed with sealer. The System B/Obtura II technique produced a homogeneous fill at all levels.
Cathro
P R
PR
Department of Oral Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, University of Otago School of Dentistry, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Love
R M
RM
D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006358:Hot Temperature; D003765:Models, Dental; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement
D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; C076543:Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer; D006171:Gutta-Percha