Root canal obturation by ultrasonic condensation of gutta-percha. Part II: an in vitro investigation of the quality of obturation.

AIM: To compare the quality of root canal obturation using ultrasonic or cold condensation of gutta-percha and to determine the effect of power setting and activation time on the quality of obturation using the former technique. METHODOLOGY: An extracted human maxillary canine was used in an in vitro split tooth model to allow repeated obturation of the same root canal system using an ultrasonic device to thermocompact gutta-percha without sealer. After each obturation, the root filling was removed from the tooth to allow evaluation of its quality and for the tooth to be re-obturated. The influence of combinations (n = 10 per combination) of power setting (1, 3, 5) and activation times (4, 10, 15 s) was tested on the quality of root filling, assessed by measuring the voids within the body of the root filling as well as at the surface. Image analysis was used to quantify the voids within the body of the root filling. Cold lateral condensation of gutta-percha served as a control. RESULTS: Both surface and cross-sectional analyses revealed that different power setting and activation time combinations produced significantly fewer voids than cold lateral condensation (P < 0.05) at the apical, mid-root and coronal levels. CONCLUSIONS: Taking surface and cross-sectional analysis together only power setting 5 and activation times of 10 and 15 s consistently produced ultrasonically thermocompacted root canal fillings with fewer voids than cold lateral condensation without sealer.

Ultrasonic condensation of gutta-percha: the effect of power setting and activation time on temperature rise at the root surface - an in vitro study.

AIM: To determine the effect of power setting and duration of activation on the temperature rise at the root surface during root canal obturation by ultrasonic condensation of gutta-percha. METHODOLOGY: A human maxillary canine was used in an in vitro split tooth model to allow repeated obturation of the root canal system using an ultrasonic device to thermocompact gutta-percha. Combinations of power settings (1, 3 and 5) and durations of activation (4, 10 and 15 s) were used to test their effect on temperature rise at the root surface using eight K-type thermocouples at the mid-root and apical levels. At the end of each obturation, the tooth was disassembled to remove the gutta-percha in preparation for the next obturation (n = 10 for each combination). Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the effects of power setting, duration of activation and thermocouple location on the maximum temperature rise recorded. RESULTS: Only one combination of power setting (5) and duration of activation (15 s) resulted in temperature rise in excess of 10 degrees C. The maximum temperature rise at the mid-root level was significantly (P < 0.001) greater than that recorded apically. It is also significantly affected by the combination of power setting and duration of activation. CONCLUSIONS: Temperature rises at the root surface during ultrasonic condensation of gutta-percha in excess of 10 degrees C were evident in only one combination of power (5) and time (15 s) settings at the mid-root level.

The long road to success.

The conservation of teeth can involve the many facets of restorative dentistry in an attempt to retain both functional and aesthetic demands. This case report chronicles the management of a patient presenting with several traumatized teeth, which progressed through orthograde endodontics, periodontal crown-lengthening procedures, crown placement, surgical endodontics with attempted guided tissue regeneration, to eventual tooth extraction and replacement with osseointegrated implants.

A one-stage calcific barrier technique in a root-fractured incisor tooth: a case report.

This paper describes the use of calcium hydroxide powder as an immediate plug before root canal obturation in the case of a root-fractured upper central incisor that had been unresponsive to 18 months of treatment to create a calcific barrier. The calcium hydroxide plug allowed both good condensation of the filling material and prevention of extrusion of the root filling material which could have been detrimental to continued healing of the fracture.

An update on endodontics: 2. File manufacture and obturation techniques.

In recent years manufacturers have responded to an increase in endodontic treatments by developing a number of new products. New techniques have also been introduced. In this two-part article the author critically reviews these developments. In Part 1 he looked at diagnosis of endodontic problems and at root canal preparation techniques. In Part 2 he now examines file designs together with techniques for root canal obturation.

An update on endodontics: 1. Endodontic diagnosis and preparation.

In recent years manufacturers have responded to an increase in endodontic treatments by developing a number of new products. New techniques have also been introduced. In this two-part article the author critically reviews these developments. In Part 1 he looks at diagnosis of endodontic problems and outlines root canal preparation techniques. In Part 2 he will examine file designs and techniques for root canal obturation.