Calcium Hydroxide Dressing on the Obturation of Simulated Lateral Canals

"Objective:" the objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of calcium hydroxide dressing on the obturation of simulated lateral canals. "Methods:" Sixty extracted single-rooted inferiors premolar human teeth were instrumented to a distance 1 mm. short of the foramen, until the instrument # 35 file. The roots of specimens were divided by thirds, in which lateral canals were executed bilaterally. The teeth were randomly divided into four equal groups of 15 each. Group I-H: hybrid technique with Ca(OH)2; II-H: hybrid technique without Ca(OH)2; III-CL: lateral condensation technique with Ca(OH)2; and IV-CL: lateral condensation technique without Ca(OH)2. The groups number I and III were incubated at 37°C with 100% relative humidity for 7 days. The Endofill sealer was used for all groups. After the filling, all the specimens were X-rayed and analyzed on a negatoscopes to count only the canals totally filled in each group. ANOVA was used with 3 criteria for classification, followed by the Tukey HST (p≤0,05) after-test of multiple comparisons. "Results:" The results showed that the hybrid technique filled a larger number of lateral canals than the lateral condensation technique one, notwithstanding the use of Ca(OH)2 or each third of root. In all techniques and root's thirds analyzed, the use of Ca(OH)2 reduced the quantity of obturated lateral canals. Analyzing both technique and Ca(OH)2 there was significant difference between the technique and the third. There weren't significant differences between the independent thirds of the technique and the previous usage of Ca(OH)2."Conclusion:" The results reveal that Ca(OH)2 as an intracanal dressing may influence the obturation of lateral canals.