Advantages of Cements as Sealing AND Filling Materials

ADA Certified Materials are Available

It is certified as both sealer AND filler.

Positioning Sealer can be accurately done

Since the exact distance from the landmark to the apex can be determined, it is a simple matter to place a rubber stop on the needle much like one does with a file and thus position the needle accurately.

Can be sure there really is sealer at apex

Since the only quality control method we have available is the post-operative radiograph, if there is radio-opacity in the canal, it is in fact cement.

With gutta percha it is possible to have radio-opacity with absolutely no sealer around it making it difficult to detect deficiencies in the method.

Controlling the Quantity

When cement is spun in with a lentulo or daubed in with a paper point, there is no control of the quantity.

When a syringe is used, by controlling the position of the needle and the rate at which the plunger is turned, quantity can be predetermined.

Easier to detect and repair deficiencies during procedure

At any point one can backtrack and correct any errors.

Easier to do quality endo

Since it is so easy to correct errors with cement, most operators WILL take the time to do so.

Preparation is faster since the operator need only concentrate on getting the canal clean.

Most of the effort in preparation for gutta percha is spent getting the canal universally tapered and round througout.

Cement will flow into all canal shapes because it is amorphous and fluid.

Easier to correct errors while filling

If the filling is a bit short, the entire cement fill can be nudged apically while maintaining the seal.

In a worse case scenario, the entire contents of the canal can be removed and refilled in a few minutes.

Efficiency

It takes less than a minute to completely seal and fill a canal.

More Working Time

Cements can be premixed and syringes loaded before the appointment.

Easier to Re-treat...

since cements are generally hard but brittle they can be removed with ultrasonics, hand files or most easily with the Fine-Cut Endo Handpiece.

Post Preparation is easier

In fact what is usually done is the post prep is done before filling and then the canal is filled from the apex up to the post prep.

Since much of the prep is post prep, enlargement is easier and faster as the operator has measurements readily available.

It is often faster to do both root canal prep and post prep simultaneously than to do either separately.

Generally much less expensive than other methods