A Comparative Volumetric Evaluation of Three Different Obturation Techniques in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study.

Abstract

Background: The success of endodontic treatment in a primary teeth depends on good biomechanical preparation as well as the quality of obturation. In order to ensure this success, the properties of obturating material as well as the technique of insertion is crucial.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the quality of obturation with Pastinject and NaviTip to that of an endodontic plugger, using zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) in extracted primary mandibular molars, with the assistance of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and methods: A total of 99 primary mandibular second molar root canals were selected, and 33 canals were randomly allocated in each obturating group by block randomization method: group I-endodontic pluggers; group II-NaviTip; and group III-Pastinject. The total volume of root canal before obturation (X) was measured in mm³. A homogeneous mixture of slow-setting ZOE was delivered using each technique. Following obturation, a second CBCT scan was done under the same parameters to determine the volume of the obturating material within the canal (Y mm³). The percentage of obturated volume (POV) within each canal and the volume of voids among the three groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the number of optimally filled, overfilled, and underfilled canals among different groups.

Results and discussion: The results of the present study showed significant difference between the three groups in terms of POV (p = 0.001) and volume of voids (p = 0.001), whereas no significant difference was found in terms of total number of voids (p = 0.491) and extent of fill (p = 0.152).

Conclusion: It was concluded that Pastinject provided the best result with the highest POV and lowest volume of voids. Pastinject also had the least number of voids and maximum number of optimally filled canals.

How to cite this article: Subramanian A, Kannan VP, Santhakumar M. A Comparative Volumetric Evaluation of Three Different Obturation Techniques in Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(7):856-863.