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.
Root canal obturation; Dental instruments; Finger spreader
