title: Quality of gutta-percha root canal fillings using differently tapered gutta-percha master points.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and adaptability of gutta-percha root canal fillings to the root canal walls when two different tapered gutta-percha master points (GPMP) were used to fill a split-tooth model. A maxillary central incisor was prepared for the split-tooth model and 10 fillings for group A (ISO .02 GPMP) and group B (ISO .10 GPMP) were carried out. The System B and the Obtura II were used to fill the split-tooth model and replication of round artificial depressions, voids within the gutta-percha (GP) and spaces between the GP and the root canal walls were evaluated and scored. Individual scores of each parameter evaluated were compared between the two groups and statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Group A showed statistically significant better scores (p < 0.05) for the replication of the artificial round depressions and spaces between the GP and the root canal walls. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups for internal voids. It is concluded that the location of the GPMP binding point and the greater mass of the .10-Tapered GPMP may affect the quality and adaptation of the root canal filling in the important apical part of the canal.
authors.affiliation: Pulp Biology and Endodontics, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. camilo.endo@tmd.ac.jp
authors.forename: Juan Camilo
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Villegas
authors.forename: Takatomo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshioka
authors.forename: Chihiro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suda
mesh_terms: D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D016062:Porosity; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D019227:Tooth Apex
chemical_list: D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; C113130:obtura II; D006171:Gutta-Percha