Comparative Evaluation of Different Obturation Techniques for Root Canal Filling of Permanent Teeth: An In-Vitro Study.

Introduction: Achieving success in root canal (RC) therapy relies on three key components: comprehensive cleaning of the canal, efficient disinfection, and proper filling of the canal space. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of four obturation techniques: single cone (SC), GuttaCore (GC), cold lateral condensation (LC), and C Point system for RC filling of permanent teeth.
Materials and Methods: 76 extracted human mandibular first premolars were divided into four groups, with 19 teeth in each group (group A, obturation with SC technique; group B, obturation with GC; group C, obturation with LC; and group D, obturation with C Point system). The samples were marked at 4 mm and 8 mm from the root apex using a marker and calliper, sectioned horizontally, and analyzed under a stereomicroscope at 20x magnification. The mean percentage (%) of gutta-percha (GP)-filled area was compared using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Bonferroni post-hoc test.
Results: The mean percentage of GP-filled area at a distance of 4 mm from the apex was highest in group B (0.86±0.04; 95% CI: 0.845-0.881), followed by group D (0.70±0.07; 95% CI: 0.664-0.736), group A (0.61±0.05; 95% CI: 0.595-0.642), and least in group C (0.58±0.09; 95% CI: 0.543-0.627), and the difference was statistically significant (p≤0.05). The post-hoc pairwise comparison of groups at 4 mm revealed that there were statistically significant differences between group D and groups B, C, and A (p ≤ 0.001). The mean percentage of the GP area at a distance of 8 mm from the apex was highest in group B (0.81±0.10; 95% CI: 0.761-0.861), followed by group D (0.75±0.07; 95% CI: 0.725-0.792), group A (0.69±0.07; 95% CI: 0.658-0.729), and lowest in group C (0.65±0.10; 95% CI: 0.607-0.709), and this difference was statistically significant (p≤0.05). Post-hoc pairwise comparison of groups at 8 mm revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between groups D and C (p=0.006), whereas no statistically significant differences were noted between groups D and B (p=0.473). Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were noted between groups C and A at 4 mm and 8 mm (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Obturation with the GC system provided the best results in terms of the percentage of GP-filled area at 4 mm. However, at 8 mm from the apical region, both the GC and C Point systems provided similar results.
Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. IEC-YOGITA DENTAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL,KHED issued approval EC/NEW/INST/2022/2512/2024-034. This in vitro experimental study was carried out in the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics with prior approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee (EC/NEW/INST/2022/2512/2024-034). The study adhered to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki and written informed consent was obtained from the patients to use their extracted tooth samples. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.
(Copyright © 2024, Chib et al.)