The sealing ability of injection-moulded thermoplasticized gutta-percha

The root canals of 120 single rooted teeth were prepared with files and then divided randomly into twelve subgroups. Four operators each filled three of these subgroups, one group with laterally condensed gutta-percha, one group with thermoplasticized gutta-percha with sealer and one group with thermoplasticized gutta-percha without sealer. The fillings were assessed radiographically and a dye penetration test was used to investigate the leakage. The lowest leakage values were found in those canals filled with laterally condensed gutta-percha. The sealing ability of thermoplasticized gutta-percha was enhanced by the use of a sealer. There was greater variation between operators in those groups where thermoplasticized gutta-percha was used.