• Tanawan Manwiwattanakul D.D.S.
• Piyanee Panitvisai D.D.S., M.D.Sc., (Endodontics), Diplomate, Thai Board of Endodontics

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the sealing ability of root canal obturation in
mandibular molars with isthmuses obturated by three different techniques using glucose filtration model.

Materials and methods Seventy human mandibular molars were identified and classified the
isthmuses by micro CT. The mesial root canal of each tooth was instrumented with rotary nickeltitanium
files and the teeth were randomly divided. Three groups of twenty roots were root canal
obturated using lateral condensation, matched-taper single-cone and continuous wave compaction
techniques with gutta-percha and AH plus sealer. Five roots were used as negative control and five
roots as positive control. Distal root of the specimens were removed after root canal obturation.
Leakage along the root filling was evaluated during 28 days using a modified glucose filtration model.

Results No leakage was found among the three experimental groups, therefore, data of glucose
filtration were not statistically analyzed.

Conclusion The different obturation techniques had no impact on the sealing ability of root fillings in
irregular canals with isthmuses. An easier technique with proper sealer should be considered as an
alternative technique for obturating root canals with isthmuses.

(CU Dent J. 2014;37:267-78)