Apical Displacement and Residual Root Canal Filling with Single-Cone After Post Space Preparation: A Micro-CT Analysis

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of residues after post space preparation (PSP) and establish whether the apical displacement of the gutta-percha was affected by the moments and methods of PSP in teeth filled by the single-cone technique. The root canals of 20 bovine incisor teeth were instrumented with Reciproc and filled with single-cone and AH Plus. The specimens were divided into 4 groups according to the moment and method of PSP (n=5): immediate with drill, immediate with thermoplasticizer, delayed with drill and delayed with thermoplasticizer. Micro-CT scans were performed before and after the PSP for residues of the root canal filling (1) and analysis of apical displacement (2). Data were analyzed by using 2-way repeated measurement ANOVA (1) and 2-way ANOVA (2) followed by the Tukey’s test (a=0.05). Significance effect on the residues percentage remaining for methods (p=0.044), for moments (p=0.006), for thirds repetition (p<0.001), and for interaction between methods and thirds (p<0.001), and moments and thirds (p=0.044). Significance effect on the apical displacement of root canal filing was detected for methods (p=0.008), however no difference was found between moments (p=0.617). In general, PSP using drill resulted in more homogeneous root canal preparation, mainly when made immediately. For all other combinations between methods and moments for PSP, the middle and apical thirds presented significant higher residues remaining. Thermo method performed in both moments and the drill method performed immediately had displacement in the apical direction, representing extrusion of the root filling material.