Quality analysis of four filling techniques in ovoid root canals prepared with M® instruments

Aims: This study aimed to assess the quality of various filling techniques in ovoid root canals prepared using M® instruments. Materials and Methods: Sixty ovoid root canals underwent endodontic treatment with M® instruments and were subsequently divided randomly into four experimental groups, each employing a different obturation technique: TU - single cone; TL - active lateral condensation; TH - Tagger hybrid; TS - Schilder technique. Digital radiographs were taken in both mesiodistal and buccolingual directions to examine the filled teeth. The percentage of filling material and empty spaces was quantified using Photoshop® software. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using the one-way ANOVA test and T test (? = 0.05). Results: In the TL and TS groups, there was a significantly lower average percentage of unfilled spaces compared to the TU and TH groups (P<0.0001). When analyzing the radiographic directions, the mesiodistal view exhibited the highest mean percentage of unfilled spaces, with differences in filling quality observed only in the TU and TL groups. Conclusions: Active lateral condensation and Schilder techniques demonstrated superior performance in achieving effective filling of ovoid root canals.