Resilon

Basic Research—Technology

Completeness of Root Canal Obturations: Epiphany Techniques versus Gutta-Percha Techniques
Samuel R. Epley, D MD, Jacob Fleischman, DMD, Gary Hartwell, DDS, and Carmen Cicalese, DMD
Abstract
This project was designed to determine how a new resin based obturation material compared with traditional gutta-percha techniques in its ability to fill the prepared rootcanal space. Eighty single-rooted palatal and distal roots of extracted human first molars were used. The root canals were instrumented with hand and rotary files and divided into four groups. Gutta-percha and the new resin based material was used with lateral condensation or continuous wave obturation. The roots were sectioned at 1, 3, and 5 mm from the apex and examined under magnification. Using acomputer program, the surface areas of voids were calculated and compared. The gutta-percha, lateral condensation method was the only group that demonstrated significantly more voids. There were no statistically significant differences among any of the other three groups. (J Endod 2006;32:541–544)

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Key Words
Continuous wave, epiphany, lateral condensation, obturation, resilon

From theUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ. Address requests for reprints to Samuel R. Epley, 863 Breckenridge Ct., New Hope, PA 18938. E-mail address: epleysam@hotmail.com. 0099-2399/$0 - see front matter Copyright © 2006 by the American Association of Endodontists. doi:10.1016/j.joen.2005.10.059

ne of the keys to success of root canal therapy is to adequately obturate theprepared root canal space. The primary purpose for using obturating materials is to create a seal that will prevent penetration of irritants from the oral cavity into the radicular tissue via unfilled root canal space (1). The success of a clean, well prepared root canal system will be compromised if the root canal system is not properly obturated. Schilder (2) suggests that the ideal root canalobturating material should be well adapted to the canal walls and its irregularities and that the entire length of the canal be densely compacted with a homogeneous mass of gutta-percha. The amount of sealer should be minimized while the amount of core material should be maximized. The technique using lateral condensation of gutta-percha cones with a root canal sealer is considered to be a commonlyaccepted technique for obturation in Endodontics (3). This continues to be the method of choice of many clinicians and is being taught at many dental schools (4). In the 1960s, Schilder (2) introduced the warm vertical compaction technique for root canal obturation. This technique has been modified by Buchanan (5) with the introduction of the continuous wave obturation method. The advantage ofthese techniques is that the warmed gutta-percha is more adaptable to the small irregularities that exist in the walls of the prepared root canal system. All of these techniques have been used successfully with a variety of root canal sealers. The gold standard for root canal sealers is Grossman’s zinc oxide eugenol formula. Recently, a new technique has been introduced that is being advertised asthe next generation of root canal obturating methods. The new Epiphany Obturation System (Pentron Clinical Technologies LTD, Wallington CT) uses Resilon (Resilon Research LLC, Madison, CT), which is a thermoplastic synthetic polymer-based root canal filling material. Based on polymers of polyesters, Resilon contains bioactive glass and radiopaque fillers. It performs like gutta-percha, has the samehandling properties, and for retreatment purposes may be softened with heat or dissolved with solvents like chloroform. Similar to gutta-percha, there are master cones in all International Standards Organization (ISO) sizes, and accessory cones in different sizes are available as well. In addition, Resilon pellets are available, which can be used for the backfill when warm thermoplasticized...