A Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Different Obturation Techniques used in Root Canal Treatment of Anterior Teeth: An in vitro Study.

Aim: This study was undertaken to evaluate the percentage of gutta-percha-filled area (PGFA) using microscopic analysis of the cross-sections in the apical third of root canals when filled either with Thermafil technique, Warm Vertical Condensation technique and Cold Lateral Condensation technique without using sealers.

Materials And Methods: Sixty single rooted extracted per-manent teeth were collected. After crown amputation, the teeth were randomly divided into three experimental groups of 20 specimens each. Group I-Thermafil obturation technique, group II-warm vertical condensation obturation technique and group III-cold lateral condensation obturation technique. Obturation was performed by specific techniques without using sealers. After obturation, the teeth were cross-sectioned horizontally at 2 to 3 mm from apex with the help of double sided diamond disk. Sections were digitally photographed and measured under Stereomicroscope at magnification of 50×. Using a KS 100 imaging system the area of canals and the gutta-percha was recorded, also the percentage of gutta-percha filled area (PGFA) was calculated. The observations thus ob-tained were subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA and student 't' test.

Results: Maximum group difference was observed between groups I and III (3.558 ± 0.138) while minimum difference was observed between groups I and II (1.223 ± 0.137). Thus, all the between group differences were statistically significant.

Conclusion: This study supports the belief that the Thermafil Obturation technique produces significantly higher percentage of gutta-percha filled area (PGFA) than the warm vertical condensation technique or cold lateral condensation technique. How to cite this article: Samadi F, Jaiswal JN, Saha S, Garg N, Chowdhary S, Samadi F, Tripathi VP. A Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Different Obturation Techniques used in Root Canal Treatment of Anterior Teeth: An in vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2014;7(1):1-5.