Evaluation and comparison of sealing ability of three different obturation techniques - Lateral condensation, Obtura II, and GuttaFlow: An in vitro study

Abstract

Aim:To evaluate and compare the sealing ability between the conventional cold lateral condensation technique and two different obturating techniques — Obtura II and GuttaFlow under a stereomicroscope at 40× magnification.Materials and Methods:Sixty single-rooted teeth were selected and the canals were shaped with ProTaper rotary files. Irrigation was performed with 5% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA. The teeth were then separated into three groups depending on the type of obturation technique. Group A (n = 20) — obturated using the Lateral condensation technique and AHplus sealer, Group B (n = 20) — obturated with Obtura II injection-molded thermoplasticized technique and AHplus sealer, and Group C (n = 20) obturated using GuttaFlow. After storing the teeth in 100% humidity for seven days at 37°C, the roots of the teeth were sectioned at five levels. The sections were then observed under a stereomicroscope at 40 × magnification and the images were analyzed for area of voids (AV) and frequency of voids.Statistical Analysis Used:The data was statistically analyzed using the SPSS version 17 software. The 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. One-way analysis of variance with post-hoc test and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was carried out, to compare the means.Results:The lowest mean of AV was recorded in the Obtura II group, 1.0% (95% CI = 0.5 – 1.5). This was statistically and significantly different from the GuttaFlow group, 3.0% (95% CI = 2.1 – 3.9). There was no significant difference between the Obtura II group and the lateral condensation group, 1.6% (95% CI= 1.0 – 2.2) with regard to the area of voids, but there was a statistically significant difference between the Lateral condensation and GuttaFlow groups. The GuttaFlow group showed the maximum number of voids, 56% (95% CI = 48 – 64), which was significantly higher than those in the lateral condensation, 26% (95% CI= 19 – 34), and Obtura II, 15% (95% CI= 10 – 21) groups.Conclusion:The Obtura II technique utilizing the injection-molded thermoplasticized gutta-percha had better adaptability to the canal walls when compared to the GuttaFlow obturation and lateral condensation techniques.