title: Filling lateral canals: evaluation of different filling techniques.
abstract: 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).
authors.affiliation: MsD, PhD Program, University of Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carvalho-Sousa
authors.forename: Fábio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Almeida-Gomes
authors.forename: Pollyana Rabelo Borba
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Cláudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maníglia-Ferreira
authors.forename: Eduardo Diogo
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Gurgel-Filho
authors.forename: Diana Santana
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Albuquerque