title: A laboratory analysis of gutta-percha-filled area obtained using Thermafil, System B and lateral condensation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the percentage of gutta-percha-filled area (PGFA) in the apical third of root canals when filled with either Thermafil, System B or lateral condensation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty extracted human maxillary central incisor teeth were root filled as following: G1: lateral condensation (n = 20), G2: System B (n = 20) and G3: Thermafil system (n = 20). A horizontal section was cut 2 and 4 mm from the apical foramen of each tooth. The samples were prepared for microscopic analysis and photomicrographs of each apical surface were taken at a magnification of 50x. Through digital image analysis, the cross-sectional area of the canal and the gutta-percha was measured. The PGFA was calculated. The PGFA data obtained in the three groups were analysed using a nonparametric Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences in PGFA were found between the Thermafil System (G3) and both System B (G2) and lateral condensation (G1) (P < 0.01). The greatest PGFA occurred in the Thermafil group. No significant statistical difference was found between System B and lateral condensation (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The coated carrier gutta-percha system Thermafil produced significantly higher PGFAs than lateral condensation and System B techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. endogus@gmail.com
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De-Deus
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Gurgel-Filho
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coutinho-Filho
mesh_terms: D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000473:pathology*; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008422:Materials Testing; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D006171:Gutta-Percha