Aim: Two types of gutta-percha master points consisting of different phases of the material were compared during the filling of lateral canals and depressions in the apical region of root canals when using warm vertical compaction (WVC).
Methodology: Two split-tooth models were constructed one with lateral canals 1, 2 and 3 mm from the working length (WL) and another with depressions 1 and 3 mm from the WL. For each model, canal filling was performed with either alpha-phase or beta-phase gutta-percha. The gutta-percha was condensed with a System B plugger placed 7, 5 or 3 mm from the WL. The mean depth of gutta-percha penetration into the lateral canals and the percentage of depression area covered by gutta-percha were measured. A two-factor analysis of variance and a Student-Newman-Keuls test (P < 0.05) were used to compare the two gutta-percha and three plugger insertion depths.
Results: At the 1-2 mm apical levels, alpha-phase gutta-percha and deeper plugger depth elicited better flow into canals and depressions (P < 0.01). At the 3 mm apical level, the alpha-phase and beta-phase gutta-percha penetrated to the same extent with 3- and 5-mm plugger insertions (P > 0.05); however, with the 7-mm plugger insertion, the alpha-phase gutta-percha flowed significantly more deeply than the beta-phase gutta-percha (P < 0.01). At the 2-3 mm apical levels, the 3 and 5 mm plugger depths elicited similar flow (P > 0.05); both elicited significantly better flow than the 7 mm plugger depth (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The alpha-phase gutta-percha with deep plugger insertion during warm vertical compaction using a System B heat source moved singificantly more into lateral canals and depressions than the beta-phase gutta-percha.
© 2011 International Endodontic Journal.