BACKGROUND To compare the quality of calcium hydroxide paste fillings performed by three different techniques. METHODS Sixty extracted maxillary central incisors, with previous root canal treatment, were decoronated and the gutta-percha was completely removed from the root canals. Subsequently, the canals were filled with a calcium hydroxide-based paste composed of calcium hydroxide, bismuth carbonate, and glycerin. The study samples were divided into the following three groups on the basis of three insertion techniques (n = 20, each): conventional technique using a hand instrument (MAN), rotary Lentulo spiral (LEN) technique, and a combined technique combining conventional hand files with sonic activation through the EndoActivator device (EA). The quality of fillings was evaluated radiographically by two examiners on the basis of the amount of voids and the apical limit. RESULTS The canals filled with LEN or MAN had less void volume compared to the EA technique (P >0.01), with no significant differences between them. Considering the apical limits, the three tested techniques showed comparable results (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS A combined approach utilizing hand files with sonic activation showed no enhancements over the LEN or MAN techniques on the quality of intracanal placement of calcium hydroxide paste. Key words:Calcium hydroxide placement, EndoActivator, Lentulo spirals, intracanal medication, root canal treatment.