Obturation of the Cleaned & Shaped Root Canal

Question 1

What is the aim of obturation?

Answer 1

• prevention of passage of microorganisms and fluid in root canal
• fill entire canal system
• block apical foramina, dentinal tubules and accessory canals

Question 2

What are the desired properties of a material used for obturation?

Answer 2

• biocompatible
• dimensionally stable
• able to seal
• unaffected by tissue fluids
• insoluble
• non-supportive of bacterial growth
• radiopaque
• removable from canal if re-treatment needed
• (semi-)solid

Question 3

What is cold lateral compaction?

Answer 3

• most commonly taught and practiced filling technique
• placement of GP cone, canal filled with accessory cone
• advantages
  
  • low cost
  • ability to control length of fill
• disadvantages
  
  • voids
  • spreader tracts
  • incomplete fusion of GP cones
  • lack of surface adaption

Question 4

What is warm vertical compaction?

Answer 4

• GP warmed and placed in vertical increments
• requires continuously tapering funnel and minimal apical diameter

Question 5

What is the role of sealer during obturation?

Answer 5

• fill the voids and seal the space between dentinal wall and core
• fill voids and irregularities in canal, lateral canal and GP
• lubricate during obturation

Question 6

What are the properties of an ideal sealer?

Answer 6

• tacky
• establishes hermetic seal
• radiopaque
• easily mixed
• no shrinking on setting
• non-staining
• bacteriostatic or non-encouraging of growth
• slow set
• insoluble in tissue fluids
• tissue tolerant
• soluble on pretreatment

Question 7

What does checks does a good obturation pass?

Answer 7

• coronal seal
• apical seal
• continuous taper with no voids

Question 8

Where should obturation be finished?

Answer 8

• at orifice level
  
  • or just below
• sealed with RGMI or flowable composite