What technique is used for placing guttapercha cones against the root canal walls?

Lateral condensation is a technique specifically designed for placing guttapercha cones effectively against the walls of the root canal during endodontic treatments. This method involves placing a single master cone in the canal and then using smaller, accessory cones along with a condensing instrument to push these cones laterally against the walls. This process ensures that the gutta-percha fills the canal space adequately while making contact with the canal walls, enhancing the sealing properties and preventing future infection.

The effectiveness of lateral condensation lies in its ability to create a dense and compact fill, minimizing voids that could harbor bacteria. This technique is widely used and recognized in endodontics for producing a reliable obturation of the root canals.

Other techniques mentioned, such as vertical condensation, are utilized in particular cases but do not focus primarily on the lateral placement of cones against the wall in the same manner. Vertical condensation tends to be employed for achieving a three-dimensional fill in wider canals, and options like oblique condensation and simplified fill are less common or may not achieve the same level of adaptability and sealing capability as lateral condensation does.