3D MICRO-CT ANALYSIS OF QUALITY OF OBTURATION WITH A NANOFLOW ROOT CANAL FILLING MATERIAL

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the percentage volume of voids in root canals, obturated with NanoFlow and conventional gutta percha using micro-computed tomography analysis at three different levels of the root canal. This study was conducted from June, 2016 to August, 2017 at the Advanced Technology Dental Research Laboratory, King Abdul-Aziz University. Twenty-eight mesial roots of extracted mandibular first molars were prepared with Protaper Universal rotary instruments, randomly assigned into two groups (n=14) and filled with either NanoFlow or conventional gutta percha and AH26 using continuous wave of condensation technique. Samples were stored at 37°C and 100% humidity for one month and then scanned with high-resolution micro-CT scanner. None of the two obturation materials provided a void-free filling. The mean percentage volume of voids in the NanoFlow group was (1.49%) and in the conventional gutta percha group was (2.22%) at the apical area of the canal. NanoFlow had significantly less percentage volume of voids at the apical third of the canal than the conventional gutta percha (p= 0.016).