Comparison of the obturation quality of C-shaped canals via different filling techniques and ultrasonic vibration : Sealer-based obturation with ultrasonic vibration resulted in better filling quality in mandibular molars with C-shaped canals. Therefore, it can be an effective option for the treatment of C-shaped canals.

INTRODUCTION

The goal of this study was to compare the filling quality of C-shaped mandibular molars via microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) with that of sealer-based obturation technique (SBO), sealer -based obturation with ultrasonic vibration (SBU) and the continuous wave technique (CWT).

METHODS

Thirty mandibular molars with C-shaped canals were studied and assigned into three groups according to the filling method used. The CWT group was a continuous wave technique with a resin-based sealer; the SBO group was a sealer-based obturation technique with a calcium silicate sealer; and the SBU (sealer-based ultrasonic vibration) group was subjected to the same method as the SBO group with the addition of ultrasonic vibration. The teeth were scanned via micro-CT 2 times: after preparation and after root canal filling. The total void volume, open porosity and closed porosity were measured. The data were analyzed via ANOVA and Tukey's test.

RESULT: Compared with the other two groups, the SBU group presented a significantly smaller void volume. In the apical third, the SBU group presented a significantly lower mean percentage of total voids than did the CWT group. In the middle third, the SBU group presented a significantly smaller void volume than the other two groups did, and the percentage volume of voids in the CWT and SBO groups was similar. In the coronal third, no statistically significant differences were observed among the three obturation techniques. In all the obturation techniques, the open porosity was greater than the closed porosity, and the open porosity yielded results similar to those of the total voids.

CONCLUSION

Sealer-based obturation with ultrasonic vibration resulted in a smaller void volume in mandibular molars with C-shaped canals. The results of this study suggest that sealer-based obturation with ultrasonic vibration can be an effective treatment option for C-shaped root canals.