ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to compare the cross-sectional area of sealer plus voids of Epiphany sealer surrounding root fillings completed with Resilon cones and laterally compacted gutta-percha. The root canals of extracted human mandibular premolars were prepared to a final size of 40 (0.06 taper). The teeth were then randomly assigned into 2 groups (n = 12/group) for the filling procedures in conjunction with Epiphany sealer: group 1, Resilon cones, and group 2, gutta-percha. Horizontal sections were obtained every 1 mm up to 5 mm from the apical foramen. The sections were digitally photographed under magnification, and the cross-sectional area of the root canal and the area occupied by the sealer and voids were calculated, after which statistical comparisons were made. No differences were found between the sealer plus void or void area of Resilon or gutta-percha groups at any level of sectioning (P > .05). Comparisons within each obturation group showed that there was no significant difference between any level of sectioning with regard to the ratio of sealer plus void area or void area to that of the root canal (P > .05). Within the experimental conditions of the present study, both obturating techniques with the Epiphany sealer exhibited similar amounts of sealer and void area, regardless of the apical level of sectioning compared.
