Effect of spreader size on microleakage of roots filled with cold lateral compaction technique

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of spreader size on apical leakage of maxillary incisor teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 75 permanent human teeth with no carious and no fracture or crack were used for this study. After removing the crown from the cementoenamel junction and the standardization of the root lengths, the specimens were randomly divided into five groups: Group 1 - Roots were not instrumented. Group 2 - Root canals were enlarged using the step-back technique to a #40 file and filled using cold lateral compaction (CLC) of gutta-percha (GP). Group 3 - During the filling procedure, the first spreader used was size 40. Group 4 - The first spreader used was size 35. Group 5 - The initial spreader used was size 25. The amount of leakage through the filled root canals was evaluated by computerized fluid filtration model. Statistical analyzes were done using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney test (P < 0.05). RESULTS There were statistically significant differences among the groups (P < 0.05). While the uninstrumented group (Group 1) had no leakage, instrumented but not filled roots (Group 2) demonstrated the highest leakage values. There were no differences between Group 3 and 4. Group 5 showed significantly less leakage than Group 3 and 4. CONCLUSION Spreader size used during CLC of GP appeared to be a significant factor on apical leakage of roots. Using smaller size spreader during CLC may provide relatively less leakage.