OBTURATION IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF root canal THERAPY, AND MUST BOTH PROVIDE A COMPLETE SEAL FOR THE root canal SYSTEM AND ELIMINATE ALL AVENUES OF LEAKAGE FROM THE ORAL CAVITY. HISTORICALLY, GUTTA-PERCHA CONES HAVE BEEN THE STANDARD MATERIAL OF CHOICE FOR root canal OBTURATION, USED TOGETHER WITH A SEALER/CEMENT. THE FIRST GUTTA-PERCHA CARRIER-BASED OBTURATING TECHNIQUES WERE DEVELOPED MORE THAN TWO DECADES AGO. MORE RECENTLY, OBTURATING TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED THAT INCLUDE RESIN-BASED SEALERS AND OBTURATORS, SYRINGE-APPLIED HEATED GUTTA-PERCHA, AND THE USE OF GUTTA-PERCHA AS AN OUTER COATING ON OBTURATOR CARRIERS COMPOSED OF PLASTIC OR METAL. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SELECT AN OBTURATION TECHNIQUE THAT OFFERS CONSISTENCY AND IS EASY TO USE.