A laboratory analysis of gutta-percha-filled area obtained using Thermafil, System B and lateral condensation

Aim To determine the percentage of gutta‐percha‐filled area (PGFA) in the apical third of root canals when filled with either Thermafil, System B or lateral condensation. Methodology Sixty extracted human maxillary central incisor teeth were root filled as following: G1: lateral condensation (n = 20), G2: System B (n = 20) and G3: Thermafil system (n = 20). A horizontal section was cut 2 and 4 mm from the apical foramen of each tooth. The samples were prepared for microscopic analysis and photomicrographs of each apical surface were taken at a magnification of 50×. Through digital image analysis, the cross‐sectional area of the canal and the gutta‐percha was measured. The PGFA was calculated. The PGFA data obtained in the three groups were analysed using a nonparametric Friedman and Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests. Results Significant differences in PGFA were found between the Thermafil System (G3) and both System B (G2) and lateral condensation (G1) (P 0.05). Conclusions The coated carrier gutta‐percha system Thermafil produced significantly higher PGFAs than lateral condensation and System B techniques.