Effect of Different Qutta-Percha Tapers on the Compaction Index of Root Canals Obturated with Stainless Steel and Nickel-Titanium Finger Spreaders

Introduction The most common approach for obturation of roots, which are treated endodontically, is lateral condensation. Finger spreaders have an essential role in packing the gutta-percha cones. We carried out this research to compare the compaction index of root canal obturation obtained with stainless steel (SS) spreader, nickel-titanium (NiTi) spreader, and different gutta-percha tapers. Materials and methods Forty extracted maxillary central incisors randomly grouped into four, each containing 10 teeth. The root canals in group 1 were filled with 0.02 tapered gutta-percha and SS spreader, in group 2 with 0.02 tapered gutta-percha and NiTi spreader, in group 3 with 0.04 tapered gutta-percha and SS spreader and in group 4 with 0.04 tapered gutta-percha and NiTi spreader.  We used t test to compare the compaction index among the different groups. Results The mean compaction index for the groups that were filled with 0.02 tapered gutta-percha cones was 1.44 with the use of SS spreaders and 1.18 with the use of NiTi spreader; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Also, the mean compaction index values of the groups obturated were respectively 1.561 and 1.269 for 0.04 tapered gutta-percha cones with SS spreaders and tapered gutta-percha cones with NiTi spreaders. Again, this difference was not significant. Conclusion The obturation compaction index was higher when using SS spreaders and 0.04 tapered gutta-percha cones; however, the difference was not statistically significant.