Overfilling: Etiology

The probability of overfilling is supposedly greater after overinstrumentation, where the apical foramen has been enlarged and destroyed. The choice of too small a master gutta-percha point, as well as some warm gutta-percha techniques, increase the possibility of overfilling. Overfilling can occur with either sealer, the core material (gutta-percha), or both. Depending on the size and shape of the root canal and the diameter of the apical foramen, excessive condensation of the filling with spreaders or pluggers can also result in extrusion of root filling material into the periapical area.