Evaluation of the Sealing Ability of Various Root Canal Obturation Techniques in Permanent Molars: An In vitro Study

Background: Achieving a reliable seal in root canal obturation is essential for the success of endodontic treatment. Despite the availability of multiple techniques, the comparative sealing abilities of these methods remain a topic of investigation, particularly in permanent molars.

Materials and methods: This in vitro study involved 60 extracted permanent molars, divided randomly into three groups: Group A (lateral compaction), Group B (thermoplasticized gutta-percha), and Group C (single cone). After instrumentation and obturation, the sealing ability was assessed using a dye penetration method. Arbitrary values were assigned to quantify the extent of dye penetration.

Results: The mean dye penetration values were as follows: Group B (thermoplasticized gutta-percha) had the lowest penetration (2.1 ± 0.3 mm), followed by Group A (lateral compaction) (3.5 ± 0.4 mm), and Group C (single cone) exhibited the highest penetration (5.2 ± 0.6 mm).

Conclusion: In this study, thermoplasticized gutta-percha demonstrated superior sealing ability compared to lateral compaction and single cone techniques in permanent molars. These findings underscore the importance of selecting an effective obturation technique to ensure optimal seal integrity in root canal therapy.