Definition: According to the American Association of Endodontists, “Obturation is the method

used to fill and seal a cleaned and shaped root canal using a root canal sealer and core filling
material.” (GROSSMAN)
Why to obturate? Microorganisms and their byproducts are the major cause of pulpal and
periapical diseases. However, it is difficult to consistently and totally disinfect root canal
systems. Therefore, the goal of three-dimensional (3-D) obturation is to provide an impermeable
fluid tight seal within the entire root canal system, to prevent oral and apical microleakage. (T O
E)
Objectives of obturation are: (T O E)
 Elimination of coronal leakage of microorganisms or potential nutrients to support their
growth in dead spaceof root canal system
 To confine any residual microorganisms that have survived the chemomechanical
cleaning and shaping, toprevent their proliferation and pathogenicity
 To prevent percolation of periapical fluids into the root canal system and feeding
microorganism
Timing of obturation (T O E)
Factors influencing the appropriate time to obturate a tooth include the patient’s signs and
symptoms, status of the pulp and periradicular tissue, the degree of difficulty, and patient
management.
Patient Symptoms (T O E)
Sensitivity on percussion—indicates inflammation of periodontal ligament
space, hence canal should not be obturated before the inflammation has subsided.
Pulp and Periradicular Status
Vital Pulp Tissue  In case of vital pulp, obturation can be done in single visit after complete
cleaning and shaping. (T O E)
- At present, the consensus is that one-step treatment procedures are acceptable when the
patient exhibits a completely or partially vital pulp. Removal of the normal or inflamed
pulp tissue and performance of the procedure under aseptic conditions should result in a
successful outcome because of the relative absence of bacterial contamination.
Obturation at the initial visit also precludes contamination as a result of leakage during
the period between patient visits. Elective root canal treatment for restorative reasons can
 be completed in one visit provided the pulp is vital, to some degree, and time permits.
Obturation of root canals in patients whose condition is urgent depends on the
pretreatment diagnosis. When pain occurs as the result of Irreversible pulpitis, obturation
can Occur at the initial visit because removal of the vital tissue will generally resolve the
patient’s pain. (COHEN)
Necrotic Pulp Tissue  Single-visit endodontics can be done if tooth is Asymptomatic, If
patient presents with sensitivity on percussion, it indicates inflammation of periodontal ligament
space, hence canal should be obturated after the inflammation has subsided. (T O E)
Purulent Exudates  If obturation is done in tooth with purulent exudate, pressure and
subsequent tissue destruction may occur rapidly. In such cases, calcium hydroxide should be
placed as an intracanal medicament. (T O E)

Materials Used for Obturation  An ideal root canal filling should be capable of completely
preventing communication between the oral cavity and periapical tissue. Root canal sealers
should be biocompatible or well tolerated by the tissues in their set state and are used in
conjunction with the core filling material to establish an adequate seal.

Classification of Endodontic Obturating Materials (GROSSMAN)

I. Historical solid core obturating material
1. Silver points
II. Currently available solid core obturating materials
1. Gutta-percha
2. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)
3. Resilon
OBTURATION TECHNIQUES
1. COLD LATERAL COMPACTION (WALTON)
The main instrument used for cold lateral compaction is the spreader, which is used to laterally
compact and adapt gutta-percha and create space for accessory cones. Two types of spreaders are
handled spreaders and finger spreaders. (Fig. 13.17). The handled instruments, made of annealed
stainless steel, are stiffer. As with canal preparation instruments, spreaders come in various tip
sizes and tapers. Standard spreaders increase diameter at the same rate as a file with 0.02 taper;
highly tapered spreaders increase at a higher rate. The greater the taper, the more the canal space
must be enlarged or flared to facilitate spreader penetration. Both stainless steel and nickel-
titanium spreaders are available. The obvious advantage of nickel-titanium over stainless steel is
greater spreader penetration in highly curved canals. Nickel-titanium spreaders also create less
stress in curved canals compared with stainless steel. Handled instruments are capable of
generating more force within a canal space during obturation, so finger spreaders should be
considere when obturating curved canals (Fig. 13.18). All spreaders should be used cautiously
with regard to the amount of applied force.
A. SINGLE-CONE OBTURATION TECHNIQUE (GROSSMAN)
Single-cone obturation technique is a commonly employed technique. This technique uses a single cone of
gutta-percha hat is of similar tip diameter and taper of the last shaping file used (MAF).
The root canal is obturated with a single cone of gutta-percha along with an appropriate
sealer.
Rationale
• The introduction of Ni-Ti shaping systems has led to the introduction of gutta-percha
points that are matched in both tip diameter and taper to various MAF sizes that each
rotary/reciprocal shaping system provides.
• Currently, gutta-percha points of ISO 20, 25, 30, and above sizes are available in not only
2% taper but also in 4 and 6% tapers (Fig. 16.3c).
• Variable taper rotary Ni-Ti systems (such as ProTaper Gold and Trunatomy) and variable
taper reciprocal systems (such as Wave One Gold) provide clinicians with matching
variable tapered gutta-percha points (Fig. 16.3d).
 NOTES : The single-cone obturation technique is frequently used by clinicians who
use calcium silicate–based sealers (CSBS). This technique can also be used with other
sealers such as Zinc oxide–eugenol-based sealers and epoxy resin–based sealers.

2. WARM COMPACTION ( WARM GUTTA-PERCHA)

A. WARM VERTICAL COMPACTION TECHNIQUE
 Vertical compaction of warm gutta-percha method of filling the root canal was
introduced by Schilder with an objective of filling all the portals of exit with maximum
amount of gutta-percha and minimum amount of sealer. This is also known as Schilder’s
technique of obturation. In this technique using heated pluggers, pressure is applied in
vertical direction to heat softened gutta-percha which causes it to flow and fill the canal
space.
Basic requirements of a prepared canal to be filled by vertical compaction technique are
- Continuous tapering funnel shape from orifice to apex (Fig. 19.34)
- Apical opening to be as small as possible so as to prevent extrusion of obturating material
- Decreasing the cross-sectional diameter at every point apically and increasing at each
point as canal is approached coronally (T O E)
Indications
• As an alternative to the cold lateral compaction technique
• When the fitting of a conventional master cone to the apical portion of a canal is
impossible, as when there is a ledge formation, perforation, or unusual canal curvatures,
internal resorptions, or large lateral canals
B. WARM LATERAL COMPACTION TECHNIQUE
This technique provides the advantages inherent to thermoplastic techniques as well as
length control during obturation. The technique involves placement of the master cone
and lateral compaction using heat carriers such as Endotec II tips (Medidenta) and
EndoTwinn tips (Hu-Friedy). The device is placed beside the master cone and activated
followed by placement of an unheated spreader in the space previously occupied by the
heat carrier. Accessory cones are the placed and the process is repeated until the canal is
filled. (GROSSMAN).

3. CONTINUOUS WAVE COMPACTION TECHNIQUE

 4. THERMOPLASTICIZED GUTTA-PERCHA INJECTION
5. CARRIER-BASED GUTTA-PERCHA
A. THERMAFIL THERMOPLASTICIZED TECHNIQUE
B. GUTTACORE THERMOPLASTICIZED TECHNIQUE
C. SIMPLIFILL SECTIONAL OBTURATION TECHNIQUE
6. MCSPADDEN THERMOMECHANICAL COMPACTION TECHNIQUE
7. CHEMICALLY PLASTICIZED GUTTA-PERCHA OBTURATION TECHNIQUE
8. CUSTOM CONE OBTURATION TECHNIQUE

1. LATERAL COMPACTION TECHNIQUE

- It is one of the most common methods used for root canal obturation. It involves placement of
tapered gutta-percha cones in canal and then compacting them under pressure against the canal
walls using a spreader. A canal should have continuous tapered shape with a definite apical stop,
before it is ready to be filled by this method.
- Lateral compaction is a common method for obturation (Fig. 7-28). The technique can be used
in most clinical situations and provides for predictable length control during compaction. A
disadvantage is that the technique may not fill canal irregularities as well as warm vertical
compaction or other thermoplastic techniques. The procedure can be accomplished with any of
the acceptable sealers.

VARIATION IN LATERAL COMPACTION TECHNIQUE

a. Use of Vibration, Heat, and Ultrasonics
An alternative to cold lateral compaction is ultrasonics, combination of vibration and heat.
Lateral compaction done with alternating heat after placing accessory gutta-percha cone can
result in better compaction. Gutta-percha is soluble in number of solvents, namely, chloroform,
eucalyptol, xylol. This property of gutta-percha is used to adapt it in various canal shapes which
are amenable to be filled by lateral compaction of gutta-percha technique.
Indications:
- In teeth with blunderbuss canals and open apices.
- Root ends with resorptive defects (Figs. 19.32A to J)
- In teeth with internal resorption
2. WARM VERTICAL COMPACTION TECHNIQUE
 Vertical compaction of warm gutta-percha method of filling the root canal was
introduced by Schilder with an objective of filling all the portals of exit with maximum
amount of gutta-percha and minimum amount of sealer. This is also known as Schilder’s
technique of obturation. In this technique using heated pluggers, pressure is applied in
vertical direction to heat softened gutta-percha which causes it to flow and fill the canal
space.
Basic requirements of a prepared canal to be filled by vertical compaction technique are
- Continuous tapering funnel shape from orifice to apex (Fig. 19.34)
- Apical opening to be as small as possible so as to prevent extrusion of obturating material
- Decreasing the cross-sectional diameter at every point apically and increasing at each
point as canal is approached coronally
 Schilder introduced warm vertical compaction of gutta-percha as a method of obturating
the radicular space in three dimensions. Preparation requirements for the technique
include preparing a root canal system with a continuously tapering funnel and keeping
the apical foramen as small as possible. The armamentarium includes a variety of
pluggers and a heat source. Schilder pluggers come in a variety of sizes (#8 = 0.4 mm)
with increasing diameter. The instruments are marked vertically at 5-mm intervals.
Various ISO standardized instruments are also available (Fig. 7-30).
3. CONTINUOUS WAVE CONDENSATION TECHNIQUE
4. LATERAL/VERTICAL COMPACTION OF WARM GUTTA-PERCHA
5. CALAMUS
6. SECTIONAL METHOD OF OBTURATION/CHICAGO TECHNIQUE
7. McSpadden Compaction/Thermomechanical Compaction of the Gutta-

Percha
8. Thermoplasticized Injectable Gutta-Percha Obturation
a. Obtura II Heated Gutta-Percha System/High-Heat System
b. Variations in Thermoplasticizing Technique of Gutta-Percha
9. Solid Core Carrier Technique
a. Thermafil Endodontic Obturators
b. Ultrafil 3-D
c. Cold Gutta-Percha Compaction Technique
10. Obturation with Silver Cone