Efficacy of three methods for inserting calcium hydroxide-based paste in root canals

BACKGROUND: To compare the quality of calcium hydroxide paste fillings performed by three different techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty extracted maxillary central incisors, with previous root canal treatment, were decoronated and the gutta-percha was completely removed from the root canals. Subsequently, the canals were filled with a calcium hydroxide-based paste composed of calcium hydroxide, bismuth carbonate, and glycerin. The study samples were divided into the following three groups on the basis of three insertion techniques (n = 20, each): conventional technique using a hand instrument (MAN), rotary Lentulo spiral (LEN) technique, and a combined technique combining conventional h…