Mineral trioxide aggregate obturation quality with two obturation techniques in severe curved root canals - a...

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Dental Materials Science
• Radiology

Background:

• Voids in mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) can affect endodontic treatment outcomes.
• Quantitative assessment of MTA obturation quality is crucial for clinical success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the orthograde obturation quality of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in severe curved root canals.
• To evaluate two MTA compaction techniques: manual K-file and Auger technique.
• To quantitatively assess porosity using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).

Main Methods:

• 26 mandibular first molars with severe canal curvature were selected and instrumented.
• Root canals were randomly assigned to manual K-file or Auger technique for MTA compaction.
• Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to scan and quantify porosity volume.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in open, closed, or total mean porosity was found between the K-file and Auger techniques.
• Both compaction techniques exhibited significantly more open porosity than closed porosity.

Conclusions:

• Neither the manual K-file nor the Auger technique is definitively preferred for MTA compaction in curved canals.
• Clinical factors like working time may guide the selection of the most appropriate technique.