a comparative study of root canal fillings based on warm gutta-percha condensation techniques

Aim: comparison of four methods of gutta-percha root canal filling performed by warm vertical condensation, with the conventional method of cold lateral condensation of the gutta-percha. Objectives: to compare the density of root canal fillings by X-rays pictures and volume control. Materials and method: Fifty inferior incisor and premolar root canals have been rotary-shaped with ProTaper files and then randomly divided into 5 groups, each of 10 teeth. The test groups were filled according to 4 distinct vertical warm gutta-percha condensation techniques, as follows: thermal compaction, hybrid technique, continuous wave, and multiple wave. The last 10 teeth of the control group were filled by cold lateral condensation. All root canal fillings were assessed by both X-rays pictures (2D) and tooth-clearing method (3D). Results: The density of root canal fillings performed by thermal compaction, hybrid technique, and continuous wave was better than that obtained after using multiple wave. All vertical compaction techniques successfully filled most of the lateral canals situated in the middle third of the root. Conclusions: The highest density of root canal fillings was registered by thermal compaction, the extruded material being not significantly related to the used technique