Application of Coltosol F with a cotton-spacer technique for endodontic temporization: a clinical retrospective study

Background: Temporary restorative materials are important for maintaining coronal seal during multi-visit endodontic procedures. Coltosol F, a moisture-activated, self-setting material, is valued for its simplicity and sealing ability, though concerns exist regarding its potential to induce tooth fractures. Objective: To evaluate the clinical performance of Coltosol F as temporary restoration material, focusing on tooth fracture incidence, spontaneous dislodgement and the role of a cotton pellet as a spacer material. DuoTemp placed with a cotton pellet and Coltosol F placed without a cotton pellet were used as control groups. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 153 consecutive patients requiring primary endodontic treatments (n = 185) performed in an endodontic clinical section from 2019 to 2024 was conducted. All treatments were performed by postgraduate master operators through a predefined rehabilitation protocol. A total of 111 patients, corresponding to 138 Coltosol F treated teeth, were analyzed: 107 teeth with a cotton pellet used as a spacer material (Group A) and 31 without (Group B). Additional groups included 15 patients with 18 teeth provisionally restored with Coltosol F and a cotton pellet under a provisional crown (Group C), and 27 patients with 29 teeth provisionally restored with DuoTEMP (Group D). Outcomes evaluated after 7–14 days included coronal fractures, root fractures and material dislodgment. Results: At 7–14 days, adverse events were rare. In the Group A with cotton pellet group, we observed 3 coronal fractures (2.8%), 1 root fracture (0.9%), and 5 spontaneous dislodgements (4.6%). In the Group B, there were 1 coronal fracture (3.2%), 1 root fracture (3.2%), and 1 dislodgement (3.2%). Group C had no adverse events. Group D showed 1 coronal fracture (3.4%) and no dislodgement. Between-group differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Coltosol F showed a low short-term incidence of fracture and dislodgement during 7–14-day inter-appointment temporization. No statistically significant differences were detected between groups. No adverse events were observed when the temporary restoration was shielded by a provisional crown.