Ex Vivo Evaluation of the Fit of Matched Gutta Percha Points in Human Root Canals Prepared With the Corresponding Nickel-Titanium Files.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fit of matched gutta-percha (GP) points in tooth root canals after preparation with their corresponding rotary files. Single canal human tooth roots were matched according to root canal volume and eccentricity. Forty-five roots were divided into three experimental groups (n = 15) and sequentially prepared with either SybronEndo TF Adaptive SM2, ProTaper Next X2 or ProTaper Ultimate F2 files to working length. The corresponding GP points were placed into the prepared root canals without cement and scanned with micro-computed tomographic imaging. The unfilled volume and unfilled areas at 1, 3, 5 and 7 mm from working length were evaluated. Over one-third of the root canal space remained unfilled in all groups. There was no significant difference between unfilled areas measured at the different distances. Unprepared and unfilled spaces remained in root canals after preparation with rotary files when filled with the corresponding GP points.