Objective: We sought to measure and calculate the percentage of the gutta-percha-filled area in the apical root canal after the use of a standardized or inverted master cone in cold lateral compaction.Study design Two groups of extracted mandibular premolars with a single canal were instrumented with instruments of the same size; furthermore, they were obturated with laterally compacted gutta-percha cones with AH26 used as a sealer. In the first group, a standardized master cone was used with its narrow end in an apical position, whereas in the other group, an inverted master cone was used with its wide end in an apical position. The 2 master cones had the same apical diameter and fit in the apical canal. After lateral compaction, horizontal sections were cut at a level 3 and 5 mm from the apex of each filled tooth. Photographs of the sections were taken by using a microscope equipped with a digital camera; the photos were then scanned as tagged-image file format images. The cross-sectional area of the canal and the gutta-percha were measured by using an image-analysis program. The percentage of gutta-percha-filled area was calculated.
Results: At both levels, the inverted master cone produced a significantly higher percentage, statistically, of gutta-percha-filled area than did the standardized master cone (P =.001 at 3 mm; P =.012 at 5 mm).
Conclusion: The use of an inverted master cone in cold lateral compaction may facilitate the apical placement of accessory cones, significantly increasing the volume of gutta-percha while reducing the volume of sealer in the apical root canal.