Abstract
This study evaluated by micro-computed tomography (μCT) the filling ability in curved root canals, besides the flow of AH Plus (AHP) and Neo MTA Plus (NMTAP) sealers using different methodologies. Mandibular molars mesial roots with two root canals and degree of curvature between 20° and 40° were selected. The specimens were prepared with the ProDesign R system up to size 35.05 and were filled with the sealers by a continuous wave of condensation technique, Thermo Pack II (n=12). The teeth were scanned using μCT after root canal preparation and obturation. The volumetric percentage of filling material and voids were calculated. Flow was evaluated based on ISO 6876/2012 (n=10). Flow and filling were also evaluated in μCT using a glass plate with a central cavity and four grooves from the central cavity (n=6). Flow was linearly calculated into the grooves. The central cavity filling (CCF) and lateral cavity filling (LCF) were calculated in mm³. Data were submitted to non-paired t test with a significance threshold at 5%. The percentage of filling and voids between the root canals filled with AHP or NMTAP was similar (p>0.05). NMTAP presented the lowest flow in conventional test (p<0.05). Using μCT, sealers had similar CCF, LCF and linear flow (p>0.05). In conclusion, NMTAP and AHP had similar filling ability in curved mesial root canals of mandibular molars without presence of isthmus. Although AHP presented better flow than NMTAP using ISO methodology, there was no difference between these materials regarding volumetric filling when evaluated by μCT.
Highlights
Three-dimensional root canal obturation should promote a consistent filling of the canal space to prevent re-infection [1]
The aim of this study was to evaluate the percentage of filling and voids using curved mesial canals of mandibular molars filled with AH Plus (AHP) and Neo MTA Plus (NMTAP) by continuous wave of condensation, besides the flow values of these root canal sealers using conventional ISO methodology in comparison with a technique using μCT to assess their flow and filling abilities
There was no significant difference in the percentage of voids and filling between the canals obturated by the continuous wave of condensation technique with AHP or NMTAP sealers (p>0.05) (Table 3, Fig. 2)
Summary
Three-dimensional root canal obturation should promote a consistent filling of the canal space to prevent re-infection [1]. The continuous wave of condensation technique promotes vertical compaction of gutta-percha in the apical third, followed by injection of heated gutta-percha for root canal filling [4]. Obturation techniques require endodontic sealers for filling spaces between the gutta-percha and root canal wall [5] or even the irregularities and areas that are difficult to access [4]. Calcium silicate-based endodontic materials have been proposed since they are biocompatible and bioactive [7]. The literature on the filling of curved canals is limited [2], and there is no study comparing different sealers in this anatomy. The root canals may be evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively [10]
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