Homogeneity and adaptation of endodontic fillings in root canals with enlarged apical preparation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to compare the homogeneity and adaptation of endodontic fillings placed in root canals with wide apical preparation.


METHODS
One hundred twenty root canals were prepared under simulated clinical conditions. The range of apical preparation size was 45 (narrow canals) to 60 (wide canals). The canals were filled using 4 techniques: Thermafil, GuttaFlow, apical cone, and vertical compaction. The root canals were sectioned at 5 levels. The adaptation and homogeneity of the filling were evaluated and statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
The percentage of canal outline in contact with the filling in the Thermafil group (91.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 88.8%-93.6%]) was statistically significantly lower than in the other groups. No statistically significant differences were found between GuttaFlow (96.6% [95% CI 95.7%-97.5%]), apical cone (98.6% [95% CI 98.0%-99.3%]), and vertical compaction (98.1% [95% CI 96.5%-99.7%]). Similarly, the percentage of void area in Thermafil group (4.0% [95% CI 2.6%-5.3%]) was statistically significantly higher than in the other groups (GuttaFlow 1.4% [95% CI 0.1%-1.8%], apical cone 1.6% [95% CI 0.7%-2.4%], and vertical compaction 0.1% [95% CI 0.1%-1.8%]).


CONCLUSIONS
The tested filling techniques/materials provided similar high values for the homogeneity and adaptation to root canal walls after enlarged apical preparation, except for Thermafil at the most apical level.
ElAyouti
Ashraf
A
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. ashraf.elayouti@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Kiefner
Peter
P
Hecker
Hanjo
H
Chu
Ailing
A
Löst
Claus
C
Weiger
Roland
R
D018772:Dental Marginal Adaptation; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000473:pathology*; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; 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*
D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D004338:Drug Combinations; C515718:GuttaFlow; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D006171:Gutta-Percha