Utilization of gutta-percha for retrograde root fillings

Just as gutta-percha used with a root canal sealer is a recommended materia l for orthograde root fillings, it could similarly be the material of choic e for retrograde fillings. Unfortunately, clinical accessibility and visibi lity do not always facilitate such a technique. The aim of this article is to present a new technique which enables retrograde fillings to be achieved with gutta-percha and a sealer. After the apex had been resected, a hole w as drilled perpendicular to the plane of section of the apex about 1 mm cor onally. The bucco-lingual depth required to reach the main canal was calcul ated. The cavity was then dried, coated with the sealer; and obturated with gutta-percha in accordance with thermo-mechanical compaction techniques. A fter excess filling material had been removed, the gutta-percha was cold bu rnished and the angles of the root were smoothed. Clinical cases illustrati ng healing of the periapical tissues are shown.