Micro-CT Evaluation of Four Root Canal Obturation Techniques

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the quality of four root canal obturation techniques using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Materials and Methods. A total of 36 mandibular first premolars with mostly round canals were decoronated, then instrumented up to a size F3 rotary file, and dressed with an epoxy resin-based sealer. Subsequently, they were divided into 4 different groups ( n = 9 ) based on the method of obturation: lateral condensation using 0.02 tapered master cone (LC2), lateral condensation using 0.04 tapered master cone (LC4), matched single-cone technique (MS), and matched single cone-mediated ultrasonic activation (MSUA). All the teeth were scanned using micro-CT (resolution of 19 μm), and the percentage volume of voids was calculated. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey test were used to analyze the data ( α = 0.05 ). Results. The total percentage volume of voids was significantly lower in the MSUA group compared to all other groups ( P < 0.05 ). The total percentage volume of voids was significantly lower in the MS group compared to the LC4 ( P < 0.001 ) and LC2 ( P < 0.001 ) groups. However, there was no significant difference between the LC2 and LC4 groups ( P < 0.65 ). Conclusions. MSUA, significantly, showed the least root canal filling voids amongst all the obturation techniques studied. MSUA can be considered an effective method for the filling of the round root canals. In general, lateral condensation using either 0.02 or 0.04 tapered master cones had significantly the highest volume percentage of voids amongst the experimental groups.

The Effect of Ultrasonic Agitation on the Porosity Distribution in Apically Perforated Root Canals Filled with Different Bioceramic Materials and Techniques: A Micro-CT Assessment

“…The concept of the SC obturation technique refers to the desirable physico-chemical properties of BioRoot RCS [ 14 , 15 ], which was designed as a biological filler [ 45 ], and to the tapered gutta-percha cone, acting as a piston on the flowable sealer [ 46 ]. As reported previously, the insertion of the tapered gutta-percha cone creates hydraulic pressure, which improves the material distribution throughout the root canal [ 47 ]. Therefore, the gutta-percha cone may be considered as the main factor leading to the significant differences between the BR/SC and MF groups.…”

Passive ultrasonic irrigation, EndoActivator system and XP-endo Finisher R as additional cleaning techniques to remove residual filling materials from flattened root canals

“…Micro-CT is a nondestructive approach that reconstructs samples on a micrometric and real scale. [ 11 ] It is considered the gold standard research device in endodontics for studying the root canal anatomy,[ 12 ] the quality of shaping and cleaning processes,[ 13 ] the performance of different obturation techniques,[ 14 ] and the removal of root canal filling materials,[ 6 ] because it allows accurate qualitative and quantitative analyses to be performed in multiple planes and at different time frames, when needed. Herein, micro-CT was initially used to limit the impacts of anatomical complexity, because it allowed selecting 36 specimens with very similar flattened distal roots and root canals, based on the following features: complete root apex, with a curvature of up to 20° in the BL and MD directions, and without previous endodontic treatment or root resorption, in addition to specific numerical parameters, such as volume (mm 3 ) – 7.23–7.73; area (mm 2 ) – 37.52–42.83; SMI– 1.98–2.03; and diameter ratio– 3.80–3.90.…”

Root Canal Obturation by Electrochemical Precipitation of Calcium Phosphates

“…The Inveon Acquisition Workplace software was used for process controlling and monitoring. The image analysis was performed using the RadiAnt DICOM Viewer (Medixant, Poznan, Poland) to reconstruct 3D data [7,42,43].…”