Micro–computed Tomographic Evaluation of the Quality of Root Canal Fillings in Mandibular Molars after Obturation for 54 Months

The present study evaluated the percentage volume of voids in root canals of mandibular molars that had been obturated for 54 months. Thirty extracted human mandibular molars were instrumented and debrided. The teeth were assigned to 3 groups (n = 10) according to the filling technique and sealer used: the single-cone technique using AH Plus sealer (AHS; Dentsply Sirona Endodontics, Tulsa, OK) or EndoSequence BC sealer (BCS; Brasseler USA Dental LLC, Savannah, GA) and the warm vertical compaction technique using AH Plus sealer (AHW). The specimens were stored at 37°C and 100% humidity. Micro–computed tomographic imaging was used to scan each specimen 1 day 54 months after obturation. Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and the paired t test. The percentage volume of voids in the teeth 1 day after obturation in the AHS group was higher than in the BCS group and the AHW group (P