The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the quality of endodontics obturations in relation to apical and marginal sealing comparing two obturation techniques: lateral condensation and vertical condensation of warm gutta-percha. Forty samples were used and submitted to passive penetration of a 50% silver nitrate solution. The samples were divided in two equal-sized groups. For each group a different methodology was used. Group 1, with half of the samples obturated by each different technique, was prepared for optical microscopy (OM), digital image processing (DIP) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Group 2, again with half of the samples obturated by each technique, was prepared for scanning electron microscope (SEM). Using OM and DIP, the quality of the obturation was evaluated and the percent of gutta-percha and sealer present was quantified. Using AAS, the leakage of silver was quantified. Finally, the marginal adaptation of obturation materials in the root canal walls was evaluated with SEM. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in apical sealing produced by the two obturation techniques and in the quality of obturation fillings. In SEM observations, the vertical condensation method showed a better adaptation to the dentin walls when compared with lateral condensation at some regions of the root canal.