A description of an alternative method of lateral condensation and a comparison of the ability to obturate canals using mechanical or traditional lateral condensation

A modification of the lateral condensation of gutta-percha technique is described. After master cone adaptation is completed a nickel-titanium finger spreader placed in a reciprocating-action handpiece is used to laterally displace cold gutta-percha, creating space for accessory cones. The technique produces a compacted mass of gutta-percha in the canal, which can usually be removed in toto if corrections are required. This technique was compared with lateral condensation by obturating curved or straight canals in acrylic blocks, then removing, sectioning, and weighing the gutta-percha mass. Two different operators were also compared. Results were analyzed using a factorial ANOVA test. The experimental obturations were significantly heavier on average than were lateral condensation fills (p < 0.001). One operator's obturations were consistently heavier than the others (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the weight of fills in straight and curved canals.