title: Comparison of the obturation density of cold lateral compaction versus warm vertical compaction using the continuous wave of condensation technique.
abstract: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare quantitatively the density of standard cold lateral gutta-percha compaction and warm vertical compaction by using the continuous wave of condensation technique. Forty transparent acrylic blocks with 30-degree, curved root canals were instrumented using Gates Glidden burs and Profile 0.06 taper rotary nickel-titanium files in a crown-down manner. The blocks were weighed and randomly assigned to two evenly distributed groups. Group A was obturated with the cold lateral-compaction technique using medium-fine, gutta-percha accessory points until the canal was completely filled. Group B was obturated with the continuous wave of condensation technique until the canal was completely filled. The blocks were weighed again after obturation. Data were analyzed using a two-sample t test at the 5% significance level. Results demonstrated that the continuous wave of condensation technique resulted in a significantly greater density compared with cold lateral compaction. Warm vertical compaction using the continuous wave of condensation technique in acrylic blocks resulted in a greater gutta-percha fill by weight compared with standard cold lateral compaction.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army endodontic residency program, Ft. Bragg, NC, USA. Chris.Lea@na.amedd.army.mil
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lea
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Apicella
authors.forename: Pete
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mines
authors.forename: Peter P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Yancich
authors.forename: M Harry
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D003080:Cold Temperature; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006358:Hot Temperature; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D006171:Gutta-Percha