Comparative Study Between Two Root Canal Filling Techniques: Lateral Condensation X Tagger’s Hybrid Technique

Objective: To compare the quality and homogeneity of the fillingmass obtained with two different root canal filling techniques: lateralcondensation and Tagger’s hybrid technique.Method: Twenty human canines were selected and stored in 1%thymol solution during 1 week to remain hydrated. Afterinstrumentation according to the crown-down technique modifiedby the Fluminense Federal University (irrigation with 5.25% sodiumhypochlorite flowed by a final flush with 17% EDTA for 5 minutes),the teeth were assigned to two groups, in which the canals werefilled according to the lateral condensation technique (Group 1) orTagger’s hybrid technique (Group 2). In both groups, a #50 guttaperchacone was used as the main cone. The root-filled teethwere cleared, which made them transparent and allowed visualizingthe filling mass. The cleared teeth were photographed with a digitalcamera coupled to an operative microscope at ×8, ×12.5 and ×20magnifications. Three calibrated examiners analyzed thephotographs and attributed scores from 1 to 3 according to thequality and homogeneity of the filling mass. Data were tabulatedand analyzed statistically by Mann-Whitney U non-parametric test.Results: There was statistically significant difference among theexamined specimens at 1% level.Conclusion: Tagger’s hybrid technique provided a morehomogenous root canal obturation with fewer voids and failurescompared to the lateral condensation technique.