Ex-vivo area-metric analysis of root canal obturation using gutta-percha cones of different taper.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the percentage of gutta-percha and sealer-filled canal area when four different types of master gutta-percha cones were used.


METHODS
Sixty mandibular premolars with straight canals were instrumented using System ProTaper rotary instruments with a crown-down technique and assigned to four groups. Canals were obturated with AH-26 sealer either using lateral condensation and 0.02 taper gutta-percha cones (group A), 0.04 taper gutta-percha cones (group B), nonstandardized F- medium (group C) master gutta-percha cones, or a single System ProTaper gutta-percha cone (group D). The percentage of gutta-percha and sealer-filled area was calculated in horizontal sections of the apical portion of each canal, using image analysis software. The data was statistically analysed using Kruskal-Wallis test.


RESULTS
The distribution of filling materials amongst groups was not significantly different at each level of sectioning (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The percentage of gutta-percha and sealer-filled canal area was similar when canals were filled with different master cones using lateral condensation or single cone techniques.
Romania
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Department of Endodontology, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. romania@edoeap.gr
Beltes
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P
Boutsioukis
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Dandakis
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D001641:Bicuspid; D001729:Bismuth; D003763:Dental Leakage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008334:Mandible; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012834:Silver; D014025:Titanium
D004338:Drug Combinations; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012834:Silver; C028044:epoxy resin AH-26; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D014025:Titanium; D001729:Bismuth