Leakage after lateral condensation with finger spreaders and D-11-T spreaders

The purpose of the study was to determine the leakage after lateral condensation with the use of finger spreaders and D-11-T spreaders. Fifty root canals were instrumented, and laterally condensed with gutta-percha and Grossman's cement. In 20 canals finger spreaders were used for the condensation and in a further 20 canals D-11-T spreaders were used. After 24 h in 100% humidity, the roots were painted with nail polish except for their apical 2 mm, which remained exposed. Five canals were not obturated (negative control) and five canals were obturated and the apices sealed with sticky wax (positive control). The expressed root tips were suspended in 2% methylene blue dye for 48 h. The teeth were then split longitudinally and the apical leakage measured and compared for each group. The results obtained by the positive and negative control teeth confirmed the effectiveness of the methodology used. Average dye penetration for the finger spreaders was statistically significantly less than for the D-11-T spreaders. Dye penetration of more than 0.5 mm occurred in 6 roots for the finger spreaders and in 12 roots for the D-11-T spreaders.