Abstract
This study compared the effectiveness of three obturation techniques for oval-shaped canals. Roots of 42 extracted teeth with oval canals were randomly divided into three groups: (1) ProTaper canal preparation and single cone obturation with matching gutta-percha point; (2) ProTaper preparation plus thermoplastic obturation (Thermafil); (3) Profile .06 taper and matching master cone with lateral condensation. Cross-sectional area of the canal space occupied by sealer cement and gutta-percha was measured in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds using an image analysis software. The percentage of the crosssectional shape occupied by sealer cement was calculated. The Thermafil group was significantly lower than the single cone group or the lateral condensation group in the middle third (p<0.01) and lower than the single cone group in the coronal third (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the single cone obturation group and the lateral condensation group in each level.
