Filling of simulated lateral canals with gutta-percha or thermoplastic polymer by warm vertical compaction

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability ofgutta-percha and a thermoplastic synthetic polymer (Resilon) to fillsimulated lateral canals, using warm vertical compaction. Forty-fivesingle-rooted human teeth were prepared using the rotary crown-downtechnique. Artificial lateral canals were made at 2, 5, and 8 mm fromthe working length (WL) in each root. The specimens were dividedinto three groups (n = 15), according to the filling material: Dentsplygutta-percha (GD), Odous gutta-percha (GO), and Resilon cones (RE).The root canals were obturated using warm vertical compaction,without endodontic sealer. The specimens were subjected to a toothdecalcification and clearing procedure. Filling of the lateral canals wasanalyzed by digital radiography and digital photographs, using theImage Tool software. The data were subjected to the Kruskal-Wallisand Dunn tests at 5% significance. RE had the best filling ability in allroot thirds (p < 0.05), with similar results for GO in the coronal third. Inthe middle and apical thirds, GD and GO had similar results (p > 0.05).Resilon may be used as an alternative to gutta-percha as a solid corefilling material for use with the warm vertical compaction technique.The study findings point to the potential benefit of the warm verticalcompaction technique for filling lateral canals, and the study providesfurther information about using Resilon and gutta-percha as materialsfor the warm vertical compaction technique