AN IN-VITRO INVESTIGATION OF THERMAFIL OBTURATION AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES

The apical leakage of lower premolars obturated with Thermafil at thre e different temperatures was investigated in vitro. The temperatures w ere determined after calibration of the Thermaprep oven. The root cana ls of 35 extracted teeth were prepared chemomechanically and divided i nto three groups of 10 each with a control group of five. The root can als of the experimental group were obturated using plastic Thermafil o bturators at three different temperatures 144, 120 and 100-degrees-C w ith the controls being obturated using laterally condensed gutta perch a. The teeth were suspended in indian ink for 28 days prior to being c leared and the degree of apical leakage assessed. The results showed n o significant difference (p > 0.05) in the apical leakage of the teeth obturated with Thermafil compared to laterally condensed gutta percha . There was a trend towards less leakage in the teeth obturated with T hermafil at the lower temperatures, this, however, was not significant (p > 0.05).