Obturation of root canals in vivo with a new vacuum technique

It was demonstrated in vitro that it is possible to achieve obturation of the root canal system with a system utilizing a reduced pressure of 15 hPa (15 mbar). The purpose of this study was to develop a procedure to reach a vacuum of at least 15 hPa within root canals in vivo. It was also determined if root canals could be obturated in daily practice with this vacuum technique. After hand instrumentation of the root canals a tooth was prepared for obturation of the canals with the new technique by obtaining a tightly fitting attachment to a vacuum pump. The result showed that it was possible in vivo to reach reduced absolute pressures of 10 hPa in roots and to fill the root canal system with the new system.