Microscopic and Chemical Assessments of the Filling Ability in Oval-Shaped Root Canals Using Two Different Carrier-Based Filling Techniques.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the filling ability in oval-shaped canals using two different carrier-based filling techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four human mandibular premolars with one oval canal were selected. Canals were shaped using WaveOne Gold Primary and ProGlider. Samples were divided into two groups and filled as follows: Thermafil and GuttaCore. The proportions of gutta-percha-filled areas (GPFAs), sealer-filled areas (SFAs), and void areas (VA), at 2 and 5 mm, were analyzed using optical numeric microscope, scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive X-ray. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were compared by Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance on ranks, with statistical significance set at α = 0.05. RESULTS: At 2 and 5 mm distances from the apex, this study discloses no statistically different filling ability for the two techniques. Concerning each sample treated using both filling systems, the presence of tags was visualized. At working length (WL)-5, and WL-2, the maximum tag penetration depth for the GuttaCore group into the dentinal tubules was, respectively, 96 µm and 48 µm, whereas the values in the thermafil group were 109 µm, and 55 µm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results clearly show that Thermafil and GuttaCore can fill oval-shaped canals in appropriate way. Furthermore, we can state that the GuttaCore obturator allows to preserve the same filling ability than Thermafil obturator, in view of the fact that there was no difference, in terms of GPFA, SFA, and VA between the two different carrier-based obturation techniques.