A Comparison of Gutta-Percha and Resilon in the Obturation of Lateral Grooves and Depressions

The purpose of this study was to compare the flow of gutta-percha and Resilon (RealSeal; SybronEndo, Orange, CA) into lateral grooves and depressions in the apical 7 mm of a root canal by using warm vertical compaction. A split-tooth model was constructed with lateral grooves and depressions prepared at 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm from working length (WL). Groups A, B, and C were obturated with gutta-percha with a System B plugger placed 5 mm, 4 mm, and 3 mm from WL. Groups D, E, and F were obturated with Resilon with a System B plugger placed 5 mm, 4 mm, or 3 mm from WL. Gutta-percha and Resilon showed similar movement into lateral grooves and dentin depressions, with a significant difference found only with increased flow of gutta-percha into depressions at the 1-mm level when the System B plugger was placed 3 mm or 4 mm from WL (p ≤ 0.05).