Qualitative and quantitative comparative evaluation of sealing ability of guttaflow, thermoplasticized gutta percha and lateral compaction for root canal obturation: a cohort, controlled, ex-vivo study.

Aims: To compare and evaluate the apical sealing ability of Guttaflow, Thermoplasticized Gutta percha and Lateral Compaction technique using dye penetration method, Robertson’s clearing technique and triocular stereomicroscopy. Methods: A total of eighty extracted human mandibular molars were decoronated, sectioned and instrumented with rotary protapers size F1. Teeth were randomly divided into three experimental groups of 20 each labeled as Group G1 (Guttaflow), G2 (E&Q plus – mechanized thermoplasticized gutta-percha), and G3 (laterally compacted gutta percha). Group G4 containing 20 teeth served as positive control. All the teeth were given two coats of nail varnish leaving 2 mm at the apex. Teeth were immersed in India ink for 48 hrs, demineralized and cleared (rendered translucent) with methyl salicylate using Robertson’s technique. The apical dye penetration was examined using a triocular stereomicroscope. Results: The mean dye penetration was recorded to be maximum for E&Q Plus i.e. 0.69 mm whereas the mean dye penetration value for all canals obturated with Guttaflow was found to be minimum i.e. 0.35 mm which was comparable to that of Lateral compaction technique i.e. 0.36. On statistical analysis (T variance and ANOVA tests), no statistical significant differences were revealed in terms of sealing ability of different obturating materials. Conclusion: Guttaflow exhibited an acceptable sealing ability, better than thermoplasticized gutta-percha, and comparable to lateral compaction, though the mean comparative leakage scores were found to be statistically insignificant.