A Comparative Volumetric Evaluation of Four Obturating Techniques in Primary Teeth Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Purpose: To compare the volume of root canals of primary teeth filled by four different obturating techniques: (1) lentulospiral (LS); (2) insulin syringe (IS); (3) endodontic pressure syringe (EPS); and (4) the NaviTip system (NS) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods: 76 root canals of primary posterior teeth were selected and divided into four groups, according to the obturation technique. Biomechanical preparation of each root canal was completed with a number 30 K-file, and the volumes of the canals were then measured using CBCT. Each canal was obturated with zinc oxide eugenol paste using the respective technique for that group. A second CBCT scan was performed to measure the filled volume in each canal, and the percentage of obturated volume (POV) was calculated.

Results: A statistically significant difference was seen between the pre- and post-mean values (P<.001) and in the mean POV values (P< .001) among the four groups. NS (93.5 percent) and EPS (91.5 percent) showed the highest POV compared to LS (75.5 percent) and IS (64 percent).

Conclusion: The NaviTip system and endodontic pressure syringe showed the best root canal obturation, with the nearest to complete filling of the volumes of prepared root canals, while the insulin syringe was least effective.