Root canal filling techniques

After cleaning and shaping of the root canal, to prevent recontamination and to ensure the success of root canal therapy, it is necessary to fill root canal space. Studies, so far, have not been able to identify a specific method as the best method of obturation. The present study was an attempt to introduce and compare different root canal obturation techniques. In this review, using specific key words such as root canal obturation, root canal filling materials and gutta-percha, search was run in Pubmed, Cochrane and ISI Web of Science databases for high-quality articles published from 1960 to 2013. There are several methods to obturate the root canal system, designed based on the use of plastic materials, injectable materials, single cones, or compaction of gutta-percha. A brief review of each technique and its advantages and disadvantages were discussed. The reasons for choosing the cold lateral compaction technique as a frequently used and the selected technique by many dentists as well as academic centers were explained. Considering the advantages and disadvantages and long-term outcomes of root canal obturation techniques, it seems cold lateral compaction is the selected root canal filling technique in the majority of cases.