comparison of sealing ability of lateral and vertical techniques in two different post space preparations

introduction: the purpose of this study was to compare the apical sealing ability of lateral and vertical compaction techniques following immediate and delayed post space preparation. materials and methods: seventy-four distal and palatal roots of human extracted molars were instrumented and randomly divided into 4 experimental groups (n=15), two experimental control groups (n=5), and two positive and negative leakage controls (n=2). canals were filled by lateral (groups 1 and 2) and vertical (groups 3 and 4) compaction techniques using tubliseal sealer. post space was prepared immediately after obturation in group 1 and after seven days in groups 2 and 4 using a # 3 peeso drill. in group 3, post space was prepared immediately during down-packing phase. the teeth were kept in 2% methylen blue dye for seven days. the roots were sectioned buccolingually and the mean score of dye penetration was measured. data was analyzed with t-test and one way anova. results: there was significant difference in dye penetration between delayed and control-lateral compaction groups (p=0.009). there was also a significant difference in dye penetration between immediate and delayed lateral compaction groups (p=0.044). conclusion: less apical leakage in the cold lateral condensation and immediate post space preparation group was observed.