Radiological, stereological, and microscopic evaluation of the quality of canal fillings in oval‐shaped root canals prepared with self‐adjusting file

Summary The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of the canal fillings performed by thermoplastic technique (Herofill) and cold lateral condensation (CLC) techniques in oval shaped canals following self‐adjusting file (SAF) preparation using radiological, stereological, and microscopic evaluation methods. Twelve pairs of oval‐shaped root canals were prepared with SAF and filled using CLC (n = 12) or the Herofill system (n = 12). The quality of the root canal filling was evaluated by (i) scoring bidirectional storage phosphor plate images, (ii) stereological (volumetric) analysis of cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) images, and (iii) microscopic analysis of the cross‐sectioned area of the canal and gutta‐percha via image analysis software. Chi‐square test, t‐test, and Mann–Whitney U‐tests were used respectively (p