The Effect of Contact with Moisture on the Voids in the Sealer during Canal Obturation with Lateral Condensation Method: An In-vitro Study

Background: The purpose of this study was an evaluation of the effect of contact with moisture on the location and area of gaps or voids in the sealer during canal obturation with lateral condensation method. Materials and Methods: 60 extracted human teeth were selected. The teeth were divided into 4 groups: In groups, one and two after cleaning and shaping the canals were dried with paper cones, then were filled with gutta-percha and AH26 sealer (in group one) and Rosen sealer (in group two) using lateral condensation method. In groups, three and four canals were not dried and were filled with gutta-percha and AH26 sealer (in group three) and Rosen sealer (in group four). Each root was sliced to three coronal, middle, and apical sections. Using a stereomicroscope with ×40 zoom, digital images of the coronal side of each section were prepared. The surface area of gaps or voids was measured using ArchiCad software in square micrometers unit. The data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests using SPSS software version 19 at a significant level of 0.05. Results: The results demonstrated that there was no significant difference between four groups of study in relation to surface area and percentage of gaps or voids in three sections (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the result of this study type of sealer and condition of the canal have not a significant impact on the formation of void following canal obturation.