Comparison of the obturation density of cold lateral compaction versus warm vertical compaction using the continuous wave of condensation technique

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare quantitatively the density of standard cold lateral gutta-percha compaction and warm vertical compaction by using the continuous wave of condensation technique. Forty transparent acrylic blocks with 30-degree, curved root canals were instrumented using Gates Glidden burs and Profile 0.06 taper rotary nickel-titanium files in a crown-down manner. The blocks were weighed and randomly assigned to two evenly distributed groups. Group A was obturated with the cold lateral-compaction technique using medium-fine, gutta-percha accessory points until the canal was completely filled. Group B was obturated with the continuous wave of condensation technique until the canal was completely filled. The blocks were weighed again after obturation. Data were analyzed using a two-sample t test at the 5% significance level. Results demonstrated that the continuous wave of condensation technique resulted in a significantly greater density compared with cold lateral compaction. Warm vertical compaction using the continuous wave of condensation technique in acrylic blocks resulted in a greater gutta-percha fill by weight compared with standard cold lateral compaction.