Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the filling quality of simulated apical deltas in 3D-printed tooth replicas using microcomputed tomography and comparisons of two obturation techniques and calcium silicate cement-based sealer groups. METHODOLOGY: A single-rooted, straight maxillary premolar was instrumented and scanned by microcomputed tomography to generate a 3D model. Apical delta configurations were digitally created and integrated into the canal anatomy. In total, 40 translucent resin replicas were 3D printed and randomly assigned for obturation with one of four sealer groups (AH Plus Resin, AH Plus Bioceramic, Bio-C Sealer, and NeoSealer Flo). Following obturation, all specimens were rescanned, and a volumetric analysis was performed to determine the percentage of the filled volume in the apical delta region. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test (α=0.05). RESULTS: The continuous wave technique resulted in significantly greater apical delta filling than the single-cone one regardless of sealer. For the single-cone technique, NeoSealer Flo showed the highest filling percentage (42.7±2.0), followed by Bio-C Sealer (28.7±1.1), AH Plus Resin (24.9±1.9), and AH Plus Bioceramic (17.9±1.0). For the continuous wave technique, Bio-C Sealer showed the most filling (66.2±2.0), followed by NeoSealer Flo (54.2±1.4), AH Plus Resin (45.9±1.5) and AH Plus Bioceramic (36.8±1.0). CONCLUSIONS: The continuous wave technique achieved the most apical filling, with Bio-C sealer showing the highest performance. Bio-C and NeoSealer Flo achieved significantly higher filling percentages than AH Plus Resin and AH Plus Bioceramic under the single-cone technique.