Apical sealing using two thermoplasticized gutta-percha techniques compared with lateral condensation

This study was conducted to compare the apical sealing capacity of three filling techniques, a multiphase gutta-percha obturation technique, JS Quickfill, and lateral gutta-percha condensation. A four-stage stepback preparation was executed with circumferential filing in a total of 70 recently extracted permanent maxillary incisors and canines. Three experimental groups (20 teeth in each group) and two control groups (5 teeth in each group) were formed at random. Each experimental group was obturated with a different technique. The positive control group was not obturated. In the negative control group, the whole root was covered with two full nail varnish layers. Teeth were immersed in India ink for 48 h, demineralized, cleared with methyl salicylate, and examined with a stereomicroscope. None of the specimens obturated with the multiphase gutta-percha obturation system showed any penetration of India ink beyond the end of the preparation. In the groups of teeth obturated by JS Quickfill or lateral gutta-percha condensation, leakage was detected in one specimen from each group. No statistically significant differences were seen among groups. We conclude that the newer thermoplasticized filling techniques can be used successfully to obturate root canals in large, straight roots.