Aim: The present study evaluated the incidence of apical cracks after root canal obturation using lateral and vertical compaction techniques.

Materials and methods: A total of 20 human mandibular single rooted premolars were used and instrumentation was done using EdgeEndo files up to 40 taper 4%. Samples were randomly divided into two experimental groups (n = 10) according to the obturation technique used either lateral or warm vertical compaction using Totalfill bioceramic sealer. For every specimen, four digital images of the resected apical root surface were taken: baseline, immediately following preparation, just after filling, and after 14 days. then the images were examined for the presence of any new apical cracks. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare between the two groups. Friedman's test followed by Dunn's test was used to study the changes within each group

Results: After instrumentation; there was no statistically significant difference between incidence of cracks in the two groups (P-value = 1). Both groups showed the same incidence of cracks (80%). After obturation as well as after 14 days; there was no statistically significant difference between incidence of cracks in the two groups (P-value = 0.474) and (P-value = 0.474), respectively. Warm vertical compaction group showed higher incidence of cracks than lateral condensation group (100% and 80%, respectively). Warm vertical compaction technique is 2.25 folds prone to crack compared to lateral condensation technique. Conclusions: Rather than the kind of obturation technique, apical root cracks were found to be more linked with root canal instrumentation.