Thermomechanical compaction of gutta‐percha. II. A comparison with lateral condensation in curved root canals

Summary. Thermomechanical compaction was compared with lateral condensation by the use of radiographic examination and stereomicroscopic evaluation of transverse root sections for dye penetration etration and for adaptation of gutta‐percha. One hundred and twelve extracted single‐rooted teeth with curved root canals which were either round or oval to ribbon‐shaped in transverse sections were used. Under the condtions of this experiment performed in vitro , thermomechanical compaction proved to be significantly superior to laterl condensation on the aspects of radiographic appearance and the stereomicroscopic adaptation and compaction. With dye penetration no significant difference was found. Thermomechanical compaction resulted in better filling than lateral condensation, especially in the case of widely prepared oval or ribbon‐shaped root canals.