Three-Dimensional Volumetric Evaluation of Root Canal Filling Performed by Undergraduate Dental Students Using Different Sealers and Obturation Techniques

AbstractObjective: The present study aimed to evaluate root canal fillings performed by undergraduate students using different methods with three-dimensional analysis.Methods: Sixty resin-based maxillary central incisors were prepared and randomly assigned to six groups (n=10) according to sealer type (AH Plus/BioRoot RCS/Dia-Root Bio Sealer) and obturation technique (Cold lateral condensation/single cone). Ten senior undergraduate dental students performed one obturation for each combination after training. All samples were scanned with cone-beam computed tomography pre- and post-obturation (CBCT). Mimics medical software was used to calculate pre-obturation canal volume and post-obturation filling volume. The percentage of the obturated volume (POV) was calculated for all samples. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with Tukey and Bonferroni post hoc tests (α=0.05).Results: The type of sealer had a significant effect on POV (p < 0.001), whereas the obturation technique alone was not significant (p = 0.247). AH Plus showed significantly higher POV values compared to both BioRoot RCS and Dia-Root Bio Sealer (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed between BioRoot RCS and Dia-Root Bio Sealer. However, a significant interaction was found between the type of sealer and the obturation technique (p = 0.008). Dia-Root Bio Sealer achieved higher POV when used with the single-cone technique compared to cold lateral condensation (p = 0.033).Conclusion: AH Plus demonstrated high filling percentages when applied with both SC and CLC techniques in root canal fillings performed by undergraduate students. The lower filling percentages observed with BioRoot RCS and DiaRoot Bio Sealer highlight the need for enhanced training and supervision during the educational process.