Filling lateral canals: evaluation of different filling techniques.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this in vitro quantitative laboratorial study is to compare the ability of three filling techniques to fill simulated lateral canals.


METHODS
Thirty extracted, single-rooted human teeth were used. After cleaning and shaping, three lateral canals were created, one in each third. The teeth were randomly separated into three groups: continuous wave of condensation (Group 1); thermomechanical compaction (Group 2); and lateral condensation (Group 3). The teeth were cross-sectioned, making the cut through points over the lateral canals; thus, 90 specimens were obtained. Each specimen was immersed in a polyester resin, and the blocks were polished. Images were obtained using a stereoscopic lens (40x). Radiographic analysis was performed, followed by a filling linear measure using the Image Tool 3.0 program (University of Texas). Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 12.0 for Windows (Kruskal-Wallis test).


RESULTS
A greater number of simulated lateral canals were obturated in Groups 1 and 2. Group 2 presented the largest percentage of linear measure of lateral canals filling with gutta-percha and sealer. No statistical differences were found between Group 1 and Group 2 when we analyzed the filling with gutta-percha and sealer or just sealer (P>.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Thermoplasticized gutta-percha filling techniques (Groups 1 and 2) are better for filling lateral canal with gutta-percha and sealer or with just sealer than lateral condensation (Group 3).
Carvalho-Sousa
Bruno
B
MsD, PhD Program, University of Pernambuco, Brazil.
Almeida-Gomes
Fábio
F
Carvalho
Pollyana Rabelo Borba
PR
Maníglia-Ferreira
Cláudio
C
Gurgel-Filho
Eduardo Diogo
ED
Albuquerque
Diana Santana
DS