Comparison of cold lateral condensation and a warm multiphase gutta-perchatechnique for obturating curved root canals

Aim The aim of this project was to evaluate and compare the radiographic qu ality and sealability of root fillings in extracted human teeth using later al condensation of gutta-percha or multiphase gutta-percha obturation (Alph aseal). Methodology A total of 108 freshly extracted human, mature single-rooted te eth were divided into two identical groups of 54 teeth on the basis of root canal shape. The canals were prepared to a minimum 0.055 taper and enlarge d to size 35 at the apex. All root canals were flushed with 17% EDTA soluti on and 2.5% NaOCl to remove the dentinal smear layer. The canals of one gro up were obturated using cold lateral condensation of gutta-percha and the c anals of the other group were filled using a warm multiphase gutta-percha o bturation technique. The extrusion of sealer and/or gutta-percha through th e apex of the teeth was recorded using a simple yes/no scheme. The sealabil ity of each technique was assessed by a dye penetration method. The radiogr aphic quality of obturation was determined for each canal using a four-poin t scale. Results Root canals filled by multiphase obturation had significantly more extrusion of sealer (P < 0.001) and gutta-percha (P < 0.001) than canals fi lled by lateral condensation. Canals filled by multiphase gutta-percha obtu ration had significantly less apical dye leakage than those obturated by la teral condensation (P < 0.05). Lateral condensation achieved significantly better scores for radiographic quality than multiphase obturation from the bucco-lingual view (P < 0.01). Conclusions Under laboratory conditions multiphase gutta-percha had better sealability but poorer radiographic quality than lateral condensation.