Influence of different methods of sealer agitation on the quality of root canal obturation: a micro-CT study

This study evaluated the effect of different agitation techniques for AH Plus Jet endodontic cement on the volume occupied, void spaces in the obturation mass in the cervical and apical 5 mm of the canal, and cement extrusion in oval canals of lower molars. Distal roots from 30 replicas of human lower molars were instrumented and analyzed using micro-CT. The samples were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10) based on the agitation technique: Group PA (control) – applicator tip attached to a 1 mL syringe; Group PUI – applicator tip attached to a 1 mL syringe with agitation using the Irrisonic ultrasonic tip (E1, Helse Ultrasonic, Brazil); and Group PS – applicator tip attached to a 1 mL syringe with agitation using the sonic tip 25.04 Perfect Clean (Microdont, Brazil). The teeth were obturated using the vertical compaction technique and the AH Plus Jet sealer, then rescanned via micro-CT to evaluate the volume filled, void spaces, and extrusion of sealer. The results showed no statistically significant differences in the volume occupied or void spaces between the groups, regardless of agitation method (p = 0.633). Sealer extrusion was also not influenced by agitation (p = 0.755). The agitation of AH Plus Jet sealer, whether using ultrasonic or sonic tips, did not improve the reduction of void spaces in the obturation mass or increase the extrusion of material, showing no added benefit to the root canal obturation process.