title: Assessment of different gutta-percha brands during the filling of simulated lateral canals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the ability of five different commercially available gutta-percha points to fill simulated lateral canals when subjected to warm vertical compaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty clear plastic teeth with a lateral canal in each third of the root were used. All teeth were filled using warm vertical compaction. Backfilling was completed with a sealer and the same gutta-percha point used during the apical condensation. After this, they were horizontally sectioned using a diamond disc adapted to a low-speed saw. The resulting sections were embedded in epoxy resin. The extent of gutta-percha and sealer filling were measured in each lateral canal using an IMAGE-PRO 4.0 software system. The voids in each canal were measured using the same system. Data were ranked and analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis statistical test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean percentage of the three lateral canals filled with gutta-percha and sealer were respectively: Konne (68.23% and 24.50%), Analytic (67.90% and 25.28%), Obtura (63.80% and 29.60%), Tanari (49.42% and 45.86%) and Dentsply (44.60% and 47.05%). There was significantly (P < 0.05) more gutta-percha in the lateral canal filled with Analytic, Obtura and Konne points than with Tanari and Dentsply points.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The brand of gutta-percha cone had an influence on the length of filling within lateral canals. This may be a reflection of the chemical formulation of the gutta-percha points.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, University of Fortaleza, UNIFOR, Av. Dom Luis 1233/311, Aldeota.Fortaleza-Ceará, CEP 60160-230, Brazil. gurgeleduardo@aol.com
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Gurgel-Filho
authors.forename: J P A
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Feitosa
authors.forename: B P F A
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: C C R
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ferraz
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Souza-Filho
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008853:Microscopy; D012212:Rheology; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D006171:Gutta-Percha