Analysis of Wireless Obturation Units for Endodontic Purposes
M. Austin White DDS1, Charles E. Taylor PhD1, George H. Arch, Jr., DDS1, David Rainwater B.S1, Albert F. McMullen III DDS1*
1Department of Endodontics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
2Professor, Cell Biology and Anatomy Coordinator for Student Research, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), USA.
*Corresponding Author: M. Austin White, DDS, Department of Endodontics, Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, New Orleans, LA, USA.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOADE.2025.06.029
Received: August 21, 2025
Published: October 09, 2025
Citation: White MA, Taylor CE, Arch GH Jr, Rainwater D, McMullen AF III. Analysis of Wireless Obturation Units for Endodontic Purposes . SVOA Dentistry 2025, 6:5, 183 187. doi: 10.58624/SVOADE.2025.06.029
Abstract
Introduction: The objectives of endodontic therapy are to eliminate bacteria in the root canal system and obturate the prepared canal system in three dimensions. The objective of this study was to compare obturation units for (a) the rate of heating and (b) peak temperature reached.
Methods: Seven configurations were examined: B&L-Alpha II Down-pack; B&L-Beta Mini Backfill; Elements-IC Down-pack and Backfill; and Woodpecker Fi-P Down-pack, Fi-G Backfill, and Fi-E Backfill. The experimental system was comprised of a thermocouple (Omega, 5TC-TT-K-40-36), MCP9600 thermocouple EMF converter (SparkFun, SEN-16295), and an ESP32 microcontroller to capture the data (SparkFun, DEV-22924). A python notebook was used to process the saved data and perform statistical analysis using the SciPy statistical method libraries. One-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD(Honestly Significant Difference) were used to test for statistical differences.
Results: One-way ANOVA on the down-pack and backfill units' data showed significant differences. According to the Tukey HSD findings, there were no significant differences in the Woodpecker Backfill products for both max temperature and rate of heating. The max temperature showed strong similarity (p=0.969), while the rate of heating showed a weaker significance (p=0.073) but was still above threshold. All other backfill units performed statistically differently. The down-pack units all performed statistically different in both max temperature and rate of heating, except for the Elements IC and Woodpecker Fi-P units with respect to the rate of heating (p>0.05).
Conclusions: Statistically different performance among the seven obturation groups was observed when investigating rise to temperature time and setpoint temperature. All materials were LSUHSC-owned equipment, donated, or purchased with internal funds.
Keywords: Kerr, Woodpecker, B&L Biotech, Obturation Systems
