Comparison of fracture resistance of mandibular central incisors following the use of two different spreaders during lateral condensation obturation technique- An in vitro study

Abstract

The lateral condensation is the most commonly practiced obturation technique during root canal treatment. In this method, the use of spreaders is instrumental in acheiving 3-D obturation. These spreaders can create an unnecessary stress during use, by means of wedging force that might lead to vertical root fracture, resulting in failure of root canal treatment. Sixty extracted mandibular central incisors were taken. All teeth were sectioned 2 mm coronal to CEJ and were wrapped in aluminium foil. The specimens were embedded in acrylic mould. Aluminium foil was scratched and the created space was filled with light body silicone impression material. Then, after working length determination, apical preparation was done with 40 no. K- file. Rest of the canal was prepared using step back technique. The samples were then randomly divided into 3 groups of 20 samples each. Group 1 No obturation (control group). Group 2 Obturation done using stainless steel finger spreaders. Group 3 Obturation done using nickel titanium finger spreaders. After the obturation, all samples were subjected to fracture using metal indenter on the universal testing machine. The load at which fracture occur was recorded. Data thus obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA and TUKEY test. The mean fracture resistance of group 1 was highest followed by group 3 (NiTi spreader) and least in group 2 (SS spreader). NITI or SS spreaders can affect the fracture resistance of teeth during lateral condensation obturation technique.