A primary observation on the preparation and obturation of oval canals

Aim The aim of this study was to observe the existence and assess the quali ty of obturation of uninstrumented recesses in oval canals. Methodology The balanced force technique was used in two groups of oval can als in human mandibular incisors. The canals in group 1 were enlarged to co nventional sizes, whereas canals in group 2 were enlarged more widely. All canals were obturated with cold laterally condensed gutta-percha. Two horiz ontal sections were cut in the apical portion of each filled root. Images o f the cross-sections were scanned and analysed using the KS100 Imaging syst em. Results Uninstrumented recesses appeared in 13 (65%) oval canals. The reces ses in five of these 13 canals were obturated without visible voids. The re cesses in the other eight canals were either obturated with visible voids o r completely unfilled. The percentage of filled area was significantly high er in group 1 than in group 2 (P < 0.05). Conclusions Uninstrumented recesses may be left in many oval canals after p reparation using the balanced force technique and these recesses may often not be completely obturated with cold laterally condensed gutta-percha.