In vitro evaluation of eucalyptol softened and vertically compacted gutta-percha for root canal obturation

Abstract

The aim of this research was to compare modified gutta-percha obturating techniques with lateral condensation. A group of forty extracted human disto-buccal roots of maxillary molars were debrided and obturated. Root canal preparation was performed using the crown-down root canal preparation with nickel-titanium engine-driven and hand instruments. For obturation the teeth were divided into four groups often teeth each. The groups were obturated with cold laterally condensed gutta-percha, eucalyptol softened gutta-percha and lateral condensation, warm vertical compaction, and a combination of eucalyptol softened gutta-percha and warm vertical compaction. Obturation was evaluated using a radiographic method. Unfilled area was calculated by subtracting the obturated area from the root canal area measured after the canal was prepared. The areas were measured using a computer program. A millimetre grid was used with all the radiographs taken to set the scale. Another way to evaluate the obturation was by dye leakage and measurement of the ratio of unfilled and filled with sealer and gutta-percha on transversely sectioned root specimens. Area measurements on the transverse sections were done in a similar way to the radiographic measurements this time using a millimetre slide to set the scale. The radiographic analysis of the obturated teeth gave different results to the data obtained from the transverse sections. The radiographic data showed the vertical compaction and the combined eucalyptol and vertical compaction group to be a bettcr way to obturate the root canal (Vertical compaction: 88.6% obturated, P = 0.0324 t-test; Combined technique: 89.1 % obturated, P = 0.0267 t-test). The measured transverse sections showed that while at apical level the combined eucalyptol and vertical compaction technique was the best way to obturate the root canal (71.1 % gutta-percha, P = 0.0023; and 22.7% sealer P = 0.0002 t-tests) it was insufficient at the mid-root and coronal portions of the root canal. Large areas of sealer (37.9%; P == 0.0006 t-test) were found at mid-root level in both the techniques using the vertical compactor.