RESUMEN
This study aimed to compare the density of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a root canal filling material in the apical 5 mm of artificial root canals. Forty transparent acrylic blocks with 30-degree curved canals were instrumented and allocated into four compaction technique groups (n = 10): Lawaty (hand files); gutta-percha (GP) points; auger (nickel-titanium rotary files in reverse mode); and plugger technique. Filled canals were weighed after setting the MTA to calculate difference in mass. Two postoperative radiographs compared radiopacity by measuring luminance variations at 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm from the root apex. Obturation time was measured using a digital chronometer. The significance level was set to p < 0.05. The plugger group had a lower mass. Relative luminance was significantly higher for the Lawaty group than the plugger group at all examined apical levels. The relative luminance of the auger and GP groups were significantly higher than the plugger group at depths between 0.5 mm and 2 mm. Relative luminance was highest for the Lawaty technique at all depths between 0.5 mm and 4 mm. The Lawaty technique group was associated with increased obturation time compared with pluggers. Compacting MTA in curved canals with the Lawaty technique has the highest mass and radiopacity but requires more time.