The purpose of this study was to evaluate morphological characteristics of teeth with hypercementosis that are relevant to endodontic practice. Twenty-eight extracted teeth with hypercementosis had their root apexes analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The teeth were divided according to tooth groups and type of hypercementosis. The following aspects were examined under SEM: the contour and regularity of the root surface; presence of resorption; presence and number of apical foramina, and the diameter of the main foramen. The progression of club shape hypercementosis was directly associated with the presence of foramina and apical foramen obstruction. Cases of focal hypercementosis presented foramina on the surface, even when sidelong located in the root. Circular cementum hyperplasia form was present in 2 out of 3 residual roots, which was the highest proportion among the tooth types. The detection of a large number of foramina in the apical third of teeth with hypercementosis or even the possible existence of apical foramen obliteration contributes to understand the difficulties faced during endodontic treatment of these cases.

OBJETIVO: comparar a qualidade da obturação e a diferença de profundidade de penetração, no interior do canal radicular, dos espaçadores digitais (Finger Spreader), limas tipo Kerr, Flexofile e Nitiflex, quando utilizados como espaçadores, durante a obturação pela Técnica da Condensação Lateral Ativa. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: foram utilizados 40 dentes molares permanentes humanos, extraídos, instrumentados pela Técnica de Goerig Modificada e divididos em quatro grupos. No grupo I foi utilizado o espaçador digital C; no grupo II, lima tipo Kerr; no grupo III, lima Flexofile e, no grupo IV, lima Nitiflex, todos com diâmetro (D1) ou diâmetro da ponta correspondente ao diâmetro de uma lima 30 (0,30mm), para abertura de espaço para colocação dos cones secundários, durante a Técnica da Condensação Lateral Ativa. Avaliou-se e submeteu-se à análise estatística (Kruskal-Wallis e teste de Dunn) a qualidade radiográfica da obturação e a profundidade de penetração dos instrumentos. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÃO: quanto à análise radiográfica da qualidade da obturação, o grupo II foi o que apresentou o melhor resultado, seguido dos grupos I, IV e III, respectivamente. Em relação à profundidade de penetração dos instrumentos, o grupo IV aproximou-se mais da distância desejada, ou seja, 1 milímetro aquém do comprimento de trabalho, seguido, respectivamente, dos grupos II, III e I.

PURPOSE: the purpose of this study was to compare the quality of the obturation and the difference of penetration depth inside the root canal of the instruments Finger Spreader, file type Kerr, Flexofile and Nitiflex when used as spreaders during the filling by Active Lateral Condensation Technique. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 40 extracted permanent human teeth were instrumented by the Modified Goerig Technique and divided in four groups. In the group I the finger spreader was used; in the group II, files type Kerr was used; in the group III, files Flexofile was used and, in the group IV, files Nitiflex, all number 30, for space opening for placement of the secondary cones, during the Technique of Active Lateral Condensation. The radiographic quality of the obturation and the depth of penetration of the instruments was evaluated and analysed statisticaly (Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's Test). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: with relationship to the radiograph analysis of the quality of the filling, the group II was what it presented the best result, followed by the groups I, IV and III, respectively. In relation to the depth of penetration of the instruments, the group IV approached more the desired distance, or, 1 millimeter less than the length of the work, followed, respectively, by groups II, III and I.