Basic Research—Technology
A Comparison of Gutta-Percha and Resilon in the
Obturation of Lateral Grooves and Depressions
Nicole Alicia Karr, DMD,* J. Craig Baumgartner, DDS, PhD,* and J. Gordon Marshall, DMD*
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the flow of
gutta-percha and Resilon (RealSeal; SybronEndo,
Orange, CA) into lateral grooves and depressions in the
apical 7 mm of a root canal by using warm vertical
compaction. A split-tooth model was constructed with
lateral grooves and depressions prepared at 1, 3, 5, and
7 mm from working length (WL). Groups A, B, and C
were obturated with gutta-percha with a System B
plugger placed 5 mm, 4 mm, and 3 mm from WL.
Groups D, E, and F were obturated with Resilon with a
System B plugger placed 5 mm, 4 mm, or 3 mm from
WL. Gutta-percha and Resilon showed similar move-
ment into lateral grooves and dentin depressions, with
a significant difference found only with increased flow
of gutta-percha into depressions at the 1-mm level
when the System B plugger was placed 3 mm or 4 mm
from WL (p ⱕ 0.05). (J Endod 2007;33:749 –752)
Key Words
Flow characteristics with vertical compaction, gutta-
percha, resilon
From the *Department of Endodontology, School of Den-
tistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.
Address requests for reprints to Dr. Nicole Alicia Karr,
Department of Endodontology 611 Campus Drive, School of
Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
97239-307. E-mail address: karrnicole@yahoo.com.
0099-2399/$0 - see front matter
Copyright © 2007 by the American Association of
Endodontists.
doi:10.1016/j.joen.2007.02.017
JOE — Volume 33, Number 6, June 2007
O ne of the main objectives of obturation is to seal the root canal system in order to
prevent leakage of microorganisms and microbial byproducts (1). The root canal
system has a very complex morphology with many irregularities including fins, deltas,
accessory canals, and lateral canals. Lateral canals have been shown to be present in
27.4% to 45% of teeth (2, 3) with the majority located in the apical third of roots (3, 4).
Gutta-percha is currently the most commonly used root canal obturation material.
Numerous techniques using thermoplasticized gutta-percha have been developed in an
attempt to enhance the replication of the internal surface of the root canal during
obturation. The vertical compaction of warm gutta-percha was introduced by Schilder
(1), and has been modified by Buchanan (5) with the continuous wave of condensation
technique. Thermoplasticized gutta-percha techniques have been demonstrated to pro-
vide superior adaptation to canal walls and filling of lateral canals when compared to
lateral compaction (6 – 8). Brothman (9) showed that vertical compaction of warm
gutta-percha almost doubled the number of filled lateral canals compared with lateral
compaction.
Several methods have been used to evaluate the adaptation of gutta-percha to the
canal walls and the filling of lateral canals. These methods include postobturation
radiographs of extracted teeth with artificially created lateral canals (10), examination
of obturated and cleared teeth with artificially created lateral canals (4), and examina-
tion of epoxy blocks with artificially created lateral canals sectioned after obturation
(11). Split-tooth models with artificially created depressions and lateral canals have
also been used (6, 7). The split-tooth model facilitates the evaluation of root canal filling
in a human tooth obturated using different techniques.
Resilon (RealSeal; SybronEndo, Orange, CA) is a polyester polymer-based obtu-
rating system. According to Shipper et al. (12), the core material used with the dual-
cured resin sealer and self-etching primer forms a monoblock that bonds to dentin and
has shown leakage characteristics superior to gutta-percha. Resilon is available in ISO
cone sizes in 0.04 and 0.06 tapers and in pellet form, to be used for thermoplasticized
techniques in the same manner as gutta-percha, with lower thermoplasticizing temper-
atures. The manufacturer claims that Resilon has similar handling characteristics as
gutta-percha. Nielsen and Baumgartner (13) showed that Resilon allowed for deeper
spreader penetration than gutta-percha with the same controlled pressure during lat-
eral compaction.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the flow of Resilon into lateral grooves
and depressions in the apical 7 mm of a root canal in a split tooth model by using warm
vertical compaction.
Materials and Methods
A maxillary canine with a straight, single canal was used to produce a single
split-tooth model that was used for all obturations (Fig. 1). The tooth was accessed
with a #4 surgical length round bur (Brasseler, Savannah, GA), and preflaring of
the coronal third was performed with Gates Glidden drills #2, #3, and #4
(Brassler). The tooth was decoronated at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) by
using a 557-carbide bur (Brasseler), and the root was mounted in plastic casting
resin (ETI, Fields Landing, CA) and left to cure for 48 hours at room temperature.
A model trimmer was used to square the sides. A drill press was used to place a total
of four holes through the acrylic in a buccal-lingual direction, two on the mesial and two
on the distal. The tooth was then separated into buccal and lingual halves through the
center of the canal with an Isomet saw (Buehler, Lake Bluff, IL) with a 150-␮m diamond
Gutta-Percha and Resilon 749
Basic Research—Technology
Figure 1. Photos from left to right illustrate split-tooth model with grooves and depressions placed at 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm from working length and examples of
obturations with gutta-percha and Resilon with the System B plugger inserted to 3 mm from working length.
blade. The two halves were reapproximated by using four bolts that fit
tightly into the predrilled holes. A #15 K-file (Brassler) was placed in the
canal until the file tip was flush with the external surface of the tooth.
One millimeter was subtracted from this length to establish a working
length of 20 mm. Cleaning and shaping of the canal was performed by
using .06 taper ISO ProFile rotary instruments (Dentsply, Tulsa, OK) in
a crown-down method with RC prep lubrication (Premier Pharmaceu-
ticals, Philadelphia, PA) and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite irrigation. The
canal was prepared to #35/.06 at a working length. The model was
separated into the two halves, and simulated lateral canals were placed
on the buccal half of the model at 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm from working length
with a 150-␮m Isomet saw blade. Depressions were made at the same
levels in the canal on the lingual half of the model with a high-speed
hand piece to the width and depth of a [1/2]-round bur (Brassler). To
allow for apical patency, an additional depression in the dentin was
made with the [1/2]-round bur at working length. To ensure patency, a
#15 K-file was passed from the canal into the depression after the two
halves were reapproximated.
The tooth model was stored in an incubator with 100% humidity at
37°C and was removed during obturation. During each obturation, the
apical two thirds of the tooth model was submerged in a water bath at
37°C. The model was placed on a scale during the entire obturation
procedure to limit compaction force to less than 2.0 kg. A System B heat
source with a fine plugger (SybronEndo, Orange, CA) was used in the
continuous wave of condensation technique. A silicone stop was placed
on the plugger at the desired depth before insertion. Heat was applied
during the downpack to a depth of 3 mm from the silicone stop, follow-
ing the manufacturer’s instructions. Apical pressure was maintained for
approximately 10 seconds, until the silicone stop reached the reference
point. The heat button was then activated for 1 second for a separation
burst of heat. After a 1-second pause, the plugger was removed with the
coronal and midroot obturating material attached to the System B plug-
ger. A #5 plugger (Thompson, Missoula, MT) was used to compact the
gutta-percha. Backfilling was performed with the Obtura II (Obtura
Spartan, Fenton MO) with a 23-gauge needle. A one-step backfill was
performed by engaging the apical mass of the obturating material with
the warm needle and expressing the material until a small excess was
above the orifice. A #9 plugger (Thompson) was used to compact the
material during cooling.
Six experimental groups were used. Ten obturations were per-
formed for each experimental group. Groups A, B, and C were obturated
by using a #35/.06 gutta-percha cone (DiaDent Group International Inc,
Burnaby, British Columbia). Before insertion of the cone, Roth 801
sealer (Roth International, Chicago, IL), mixed following the manufac-
turer’s instructions, was applied to the canal by using a paper point. For
groups A, B, and C, the System B was set at 200°C and a power setting of
750 Karr et al.
10. In group A, the System B plugger was inserted to a depth of 5 mm
from working length. In group B, the System B plugger was inserted to
a depth of 4 mm from working length. In group C, the System B plugger
was inserted to a depth of 3 mm from working length. Backfilling was
performed with a gutta-percha pellet (Obtura Spartan, Fenton MO) in
the Obtura II set at 200°C, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Groups D, E, and F were obturated by using a #35/.06 Resilon cone
(RealSeal, SybronEndo, Orange, CA). Before insertion of the cone, Re-
silon primer was placed in the canal with a paper point followed by
placement of Resilon sealer with a paper point. For groups D, E, and F,
the System B was set at 150°F and a power setting of 10, according to the
manufacturer’s instructions. In group D, the System B plugger was
inserted to a depth of 5 mm from working length. In group E, the System
B plugger was inserted to a depth of 4 mm from working length. In
group F, the System B plugger was inserted to a depth of 3 mm from
working length. Backfilling was performed with a Resilon pellet
(RealSeal) in the Obtura II set at 140°C, following the manufacturer’s
instructions.
After each obturation, the model was returned to the incubator and
the obturating material allowed to cool for 5 minutes. The halves of the
model were then separated and excess sealer removed by using a cotton
pellet moistened with Isopropyl alcohol. While viewing with a micro-
scope (Nikon, Tokyo, Japan), specimens were photographed with a
digital camera (Canon USA, Lake Success, NY) at 10⫻ magnification.
The obturating material was then removed from the model, and both
halves were cleaned of remaining sealer using a cotton pellet with Iso-
propyl alcohol. The model was then replaced in the incubator for a
minimum of 10 minutes before the next obturation.
The digital images were coded, randomly ordered, and projected
at 20⫻ for evaluation. Evaluation of the obturation at each level (1, 3, 5,
and 7 mm from WL) was scored as follows:
Lateral grooves: 0 ⫽ no gutta-percha or Resilon in groove and 1 ⫽
presence of gutta-percha or Resilon in groove.
Dentin depressions: 0 ⫽ no flow of gutta-percha or Resilon in
depression, 1 ⫽ partial flow of gutta-percha or Resilon in depression,
and 2 ⫽ complete flow of gutta-percha or Resilon in depression.
Each specimen was evaluated independently by two examiners
(JCB and JGM). Statistical analysis was performed by using a Wilcoxon
signed rank test (p ⱕ 0.05) for the presence of gutta-percha compared
with Resilon in lateral grooves and depressions at the different levels.
Results
Scores for flow of gutta-percha and Resilon into dentin depres-
sions and lateral grooves at 1 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm for the
different System B plugger insertion depths are presented in Tables 1
JOE — Volume 33, Number 6, June 2007
 Basic Research—Technology
TABLE 1. Number of Specimens with Partial or Complete Flow of Gutta-Percha (GP) and Resilon (RES) for Each Depression Level and System B Plugger
Insertion Depth
Depression Level
Plugger Depth
7 mm 5 mm 3 mm 1 mm
Partial Complete Partial Complete Partial Complete Partial Complete
5 mm
GP 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 7/10 3/10
RES 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 1/10 9/10 6/10 4/10
4 mm
GP 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 3/10* 7/10*
RES 0/10 10/10 1/10 9/10 1/10 9/10 8/10* 2/10*
3 mm
GP 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 2/10† 8/10†
RES 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 1/10 9/10 7/10† 3/10†
Depression levels and plugger depths are expressed in millimeters from apex. A significant difference (p ⱕ .05) was found for flow of gutta-percha and Resilon at the 1 mm depression level with the System B plugger
inserted to 4 mm ( * ) and 3 mm ( † ).

and 2. Gutta-percha filled the 1-mm depression significantly better than
Resilon when the System B plugger was inserted to 4 mm or 3 mm.
There were no other statistically significant differences between the two
materials for any groove and depression level or plugger insertion
depth.
Partial or complete flow of core material into dentin depressions
was seen at 1 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm for all System B plugger
insertion depths for both gutta-percha and Resilon. Flow of core mate-
rial into grooves was seen in all grooves at 7 mm and 5 mm for all System
B plugger insertion depths for both gutta-percha and Resilon. Flow of
core material was seen for all grooves at 3 mm when the plugger was
inserted to 3 mm and 4 mm for both gutta-percha and Resilon (Fig. 1).
Flow of core material into the 1-mm groove was not a consistent finding
because it was seen in only one gutta-percha and three Resilon speci-
mens, when the plugger was inserted to 3 mm.
No extrusion of gutta-percha or Resilon was seen beyond working
length, even though a #15 file was always extended past the apical
constriction for patency. Sealer was seen at all levels in both dentin
depressions and lateral grooves in all groups.
Discussion
The purpose of this study was to compare the flow of Resilon and
gutta-percha into lateral grooves and depressions by using the contin-
uous wave of condensation technique with the System B plugger in-
serted to different depths and backfilling with Obtura II.
Simulated lateral canals with a controlled width of 150 ␮m were
prepared by using an Isomet saw with a 150-␮m blade. This width was
used to simulate the actual size of lateral canals. Venturi et al. (4)
evaluated the presence of lateral canals in extracted teeth that had been
obturated with a warm vertical compaction technique followed by sub-
sequent clearing and examination under stereomicroscope. All of the
lateral canals in that study were less than 300 ␮m with the majority
(56%) ranging from 50 to 150 ␮m. Previous studies have used a #15
file (150 ␮m) to artificially create canals (10).
The lateral grooves and depressions in the model were used to
simulate canal irregularities found clinically. The extent of the core
material’s ability to flow into these grooves and depressions was exam-
ined in this study because, although sealers are required to prevent
microleakage, optimal filling of the root canal system is achieved when
the volume of the core material is maximized (14 –16). Warm vertical
compaction was used as the obturation technique in this study because
previous evidence has shown it to be superior in adapting to canal walls
and filling of lateral canals when compared with lateral condensation
(6 – 8).
When using warm vertical compaction, both gutta-percha and Re-
silon showed at least partial flow of the obturating material at the 1-mm
level, regardless of the depth of plugger penetration, indicating that heat
is transferred ahead of the plugger tip. No extrusion of either the gutta-
percha or Resilon obturating material was seen beyond working length
in this study, even when the System B plugger was placed 3 mm from
working length. Bowman and Baumgartner (6) also showed that ther-
moplasticized gutta-percha is not extruded beyond the apex when using
warm vertical compaction. Clinton and Van Himel (17) showed a pro-
pensity for apical extrusion of gutta-percha with thermoplasticized tech-
niques using Thermafil (Dentsply Maillefer, Tulsa, OK).
For all groups, no voids were noted between the downpack and
backfill. This is in contrast to Bowman and Baumgartner (6) who, when
using a similar model to evaluate the flow characteristics of thermoplas-

TABLE 2. Number of Specimens with Flow or without Flow of Gutta-Percha (GP) and Resilon (RES) for Each Groove Level and System B Plugger Insertion Depth
Groove Level
Plugger Depth
7 mm 5 mm 3 mm 1 mm
No flow Flow No flow Flow No flow Flow No flow Flow
5 mm
GP 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 3/10 7/10 10/10 0/10
RES 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 1/10 9/10 9/10 1/10
4 mm
GP 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 10/10 0/10
RES 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 10/10 0/10
3 mm
GP 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 9/10 1/10
RES 0/10 10/10 0/10 10/10 1/10 9/10 7/10 3/10
Groove levels and plugger depths are expressed in millimeters from apex.

JOE — Volume 33, Number 6, June 2007 Gutta-Percha and Resilon 751
Basic Research—Technology
ticized gutta-percha, noted voids at the interface when the System B
plugger was placed to 3 mm. This may be explained by the fact that a .06
taper canal preparation was used in the present study compared with a
.04 taper in the previous study. The .06 taper may have allowed more
room for the Obtura II needle to be completely seated against the apical
plug of the obturating material.
In the present study, extrusion of Resilon from the Obtura II re-
quired much greater force than extrusion of gutta-percha. When using
Resilon, the Obtura II was heated to 140°C, as recommended by the
manufacturer’s instructions. Subsequent studies examining the flow
characteristics of Resilon should consider the use of higher tempera-
tures.
The tooth was kept at a constant body temperature of 37°C by using
an incubator between obturations and a water bath at 37°C during
obturation of the root canal. Sealer was used in the canal during obtu-
rations to simulate a clinical situation. Roth 801 sealer was used in the
gutta-percha groups because it has an extended working time com-
pared with other sealers (18). This facilitated the ease of sealer removal
from the model between obturations.
The compaction force used during obturation was controlled by
performing all obturation procedures on a scale, using forces less than
2.0 kg. Some authors have suggested that excessive forces generated
during compaction contribute to the formation of vertical root fractures
(19, 20). However, Onnick and Davis (21) showed that obturation
using both lateral compaction and thermoplasticized techniques did not
result in an increase in root fractures when compared with uninstru-
mented or unobturated canals. Lindauer et al. (22) showed that the
range of forces commonly used by endodontist (1–3 kg) and those of a
higher magnitude (up to 4.9 kg) did not result in root fracture of the
mesial roots of mandibular molars.
Subsequent studies evaluating the flow of gutta-percha and Resilon
into lateral grooves and depressions could further develop the existing
model to include depressions and grooves of varying sizes as well as
different master apical file sizes and tapers and varying canal curvatures.
In conclusion, gutta-percha and Resilon showed similar flow into
lateral grooves and depressions, with a significant difference found only
with movement of core material into depressions at the 1-mm level with
the System B plugger placed to 3 mm or 4 mm from working length.
752 Karr et al.
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JOE — Volume 33, Number 6, June 2007