Comparing apical bacterial leakage using two different obturation techniques in human upper incisors: An in vitro pilot study

Abstract

The materials and techniques for root canal obturation is critical for treatment success. Cold lateral condensation is a widely used obturation technique, but core carrier techniques requiring heat has been developed to overcome disadvantages with the cold obturation techniques. GuttaCore is a relatively new and unstudied core carrier technique in vitro. The bacterial leakage test has been regarded as the most clinically relevant to compare obturation techniques, though the methodology has been questioned. No studies could be found comparing GuttaCore to lateral condensation using bacterial leakage models. Therefore, the aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the feasibility to compare cold lateral condensation and GuttaCore root filling techniques regarding bacterial leakage using a two-chamber system. 25 human upper incisors were selected into 2 experimental and 2 control groups. All teeth were mechanically cleaned and shaped using ProTaper Next rotary files (Dentsply Sirona, North Carolina, USA) and appropriate finishing hand files before obturation. The experimental groups were obturated by cold lateral condensation and GuttaCore techniques. A two-chamber system was set up to compare bacterial leakage, with Enterococcus faecalis as the bacterial mediator. Environmental contamination was investigated. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Three positive control and two GuttaCore specimens showed bacterial contamination. No specimens in lateral condensation group showed signs of leakage. One specimen showed environmental contamination. Within the limitations of this pilot study, a two-chamber system appears to be a feasible method to compare GuttaCore with other methods regarding bacterial leakage. To confirm our results, it needs future studies using a larger sample size.