Sealing ability of lateral condensation, thermoplasticized gutta-percha and flowable gutta-percha obturation techniques: A comparative in vitro study

Aim: To evaluate and compare the sealing ability between the clod lateral condensation, thermoplasticized gutta-percha, and flowable gutta-percha obturation technique, under a stereomicroscope at ×40 magnification. Materials and Methods: Sixty single rooted teeth were selected and canals were shaped with K3 NiTi files. Irrigation was performed with 5.25% NaOCl and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The teeth were then separated into three groups depending on the type of obturation technique: Group A, obturated using the lateral condensation technique and AH Plus sealer; Group B, obturated with thermoplasticized gutta-percha tech (Obtura III Max) and AH Plus sealer; and Group C, obturated using flowable gutta-percha technique (GuttaFlow). After storing the teeth in 100% humidity for 7 days at 37°C, the roots of the teeth were sectioned at five levels. The sections were then observed under a stereomicroscope at ×40 magnification and the images were analyzed for area of voids (AV) and frequency of voids. The data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS version 17 software. The 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. One-way analysis of variance with post hoc test and non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test were carried out to compare the means. Results: The lowest mean of AV was recorded in the thermoplasticized gutta-percha (Obtura III Max) group [1.0% (95% CI=0.5–1.5)]. This was statistically and significantly different from flowable gutta-percha (GuttaFlow) group [3.0% (95% CI=2.1–3.9)]. There was no significant difference between the thermoplasticized gutta-percha group and lateral condensation group [1.6% (95% CI=1.0–2.2)] with regard to the AV, but there was a statistically significant difference between the lateral condensation and flowable gutta-percha groups. The flowable gutta-percha group showed the maximum number of voids [56% (95% CI=48–64)], which was significantly higher than those in the lateral condensation [26% (95% CI=19–34)] and thermoplasticized gutta-percha [15% (95% CI=10–21)] groups. Conclusion: The thermoplasticized gutta-percha technique (Obtura III Max) had better adaptability to the canal walls when compared to the flowable gutta-percha (GuttaFlow) obturation and lateral condensation techniques.