Volumetric Evaluation of Different Obturation Techniques in Primary Teeth Using Spiral Computed Tomography.

BACKGROUND: Various obturation techniques have been evaluated for better filling of the root canals in primary teeth using different methods. Spiral Computed Tomography (SCT) is a new revolution in the pediatric endodontics for assessment of quality of the obturation from 3 dimensions. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficiency of 5 different obturation methods in delivering the filling material into the canals of primary teeth using Spiral Computed Tomography scan. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 50 canals of primary teeth were prepared, divided into 5 groups with 10 canals in each group and obturated with Zinc Oxide Eugenol cement using 5 different obturation techniques such as Local anesthetic syringe, Tuberculin syringe, Endodontic plugger, hand held Lentulo-spiral, and Lentulo-spiral mounted on slow speed hand piece. The pre and post obturation volume and finally the Percentage of Obturated Volume (POV) were calculated using SCT scan for each group. The data obtained was statistically analyzed using One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc test. RESULTS: Lentulo-spiral hand held showed highest POV value followed by Lentulospiral mounted to hand piece, Tuberculin syringe and Endodontic plugger; whereas Anesthetic syringe had least POV (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lentulo-spiral hand held is the best obturating technique among the 5 groups evaluated as the canals of this group showed maximum percentage of filled material. However, a further study with large sample size is highly essential.