Comparison of apical sealing between the Tagger hybrid technique and lateral condensation technique with different sealers

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the Tagger technique and the lateral condensation technique with different obturation cements in achieving optimal apical sealing in endodontic treatments.Methods: An in vitro study was conducted on ۶۸ extracted human upper or lower first premolars. Teeth were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n=۱۷) based on two obturation techniques and endodontic sealers employed, as follows: Group ۱, Tagger technique with the zinc oxide-eugenol sealer; Group ۲, Tagger technique with the resin-based sealer; Group ۳, lateral condensation technique with zinc oxide-eugenol sealer, and Group ۴, lateral condensation technique with resin-based sealer. Homogeneity of the gutta-percha mass and apical obliteration were evaluated under a digital stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, and a P-value<۰.۰۵ was considered statistically significant.Results: Most group specimens exhibited non-homogeneous gutta-percha, whereas apical obliteration was achieved in a significant proportion of samples across all groups. No significant difference was found between the study groups either in the homogeneity of the gutta-percha mass (P=۰.۹۷۸) or in the optimal apical obliteration (P=۰.۷۸۲).Conclusions: The study found no significant difference in the effectiveness of the Tagger hybrid and lateral condensation techniques using different sealers in achieving optimal apical sealing and gutta-percha homogeneity. This highlights the critical role of the clinician's expertise in ensuring successful endodontic outcomes.

Keywords:

Endodontics , Gutta-percha , Root canal filling materials , Root canal obturation , Root canal preparation , Root canal sealer