The Compaction Index of Root Canal Obturation With Different Gutta-Percha Tapers and Finger Spreaders

The most prevalent approach for the obturation of roots, which are treated endodontically, is lateral condensation. Finger spreaders insignificantly affect packing the gutta-percha cones. This survey aimed to compare the compaction index of root canal obturation obtained with Stainless Steel (SS) and Nickel-Titanium (Ni-Ti) spreaders and different gutta-percha tapers.

Forty extracted maxillary central incisors were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 teeth. In group 1, the canals were filled with 0.02 tapered gutta-percha and SS spreader; group 2 with 0.02 tapered gutta-percha and Ni-Ti spreader; group 3, with 0.04 tapered gutta-percha and SS spreader, and group 4 with 0.04 tapered gutta-percha and Ni-Ti spreader. The compaction index was compared among the different groups using the Independent Samples t-test.

The mean compaction index for the groups that were filled with 0.02 tapered gutta-percha cones was 1.44 with the use of SS spreaders and 1.18 with the use of Ni-Ti spreader; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the mean compaction index for the groups that were obturated with 0.04 tapered gutta-percha cones was 1.561 with the use of SS spreaders and 1.269 with the use of Ni-Ti spreaders. Similarly, this difference was not statistically significant.

The obturation compaction index was higher when using SS spreaders and 0.04 tapered gutta-percha cones; however, the differences were not statistically significant.