Ideally, a root canal filling should be: Biocompatible
Dimensionally stable Capable of sealing the canal laterally and
apically, conforming with the various shapes and contours of the individual canal
Unaffected by tissue fluids and insoluble Bacteriostatic Radiopaque Easily removed from the canal if necessary.
To these properties may also be added, incapable of staining tooth or gingival tissues and easily manipulated with ample working time. Gutta-percha has a number of these desirable properties. It is semisolid and can be compressed and packed to fill the irregular shapes of a root canal using lateral or vertical compaction techniques. It is non-irritant and dimensionally stable. It will become plastic when heated or when used with solvents (xylol, chloroform, eucalyptus oil). It is radiopaque and inert, and can be removed from the canal when required for post preparation.
Its disadvantages are few. It is distorted by pressure and, consequently, can be forced through the apical foramen if too much pressure is used, and it is not rigid and so can be difficult to use in smaller sizes. Also, a sealer is necessary to fill in the spaces around the filling material. Root canal scalers were considered in Part 5.
Dimensionally stable Capable of sealing the canal laterally and
apically, conforming with the various shapes and contours of the individual canal
Unaffected by tissue fluids and insoluble Bacteriostatic Radiopaque Easily removed from the canal if necessary.
To these properties may also be added, incapable of staining tooth or gingival tissues and easily manipulated with ample working time. Gutta-percha has a number of these desirable properties. It is semisolid and can be compressed and packed to fill the irregular shapes of a root canal using lateral or vertical compaction techniques. It is non-irritant and dimensionally stable. It will become plastic when heated or when used with solvents (xylol, chloroform, eucalyptus oil). It is radiopaque and inert, and can be removed from the canal when required for post preparation.
Its disadvantages are few. It is distorted by pressure and, consequently, can be forced through the apical foramen if too much pressure is used, and it is not rigid and so can be difficult to use in smaller sizes. Also, a sealer is necessary to fill in the spaces around the filling material. Root canal scalers were considered in Part 5.
Gutta-percha points are manufactured in various forms. Standardised points match the ISO sizes, and have a 2% taper. Accessory points have fine tips and variable taper to facilitate and improve lateral compaction. Greater taper points are available in 4% and 6% taper to match modern preparation techniques. Feathertipped points permit individual and specific cone fitting to the prepared root canal.