Premium
Alpha‐ and beta‐forms of gutta‐percha in products for root canal filling
Author(s) -
Combe E. C.,
Cohen B. D.,
Cummings K.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2591.2001.00415.x
Subject(s) - gutta percha , materials science , thermogravimetry , dentistry , root canal , composite material , nuclear chemistry , chemistry , medicine , inorganic chemistry
Aim This study was undertaken to evaluate which materials were in the α‐form of gutta‐percha as claimed, and which were in the more conventional β‐form, and to explore the effect of heating on the materials. Methodology Samples of gutta‐percha without chemical additives, and dental gutta‐percha formulations which included (i) two products previously studied; (ii) 12 newer products; and (iii) one newer product that had been stored at high temperature, were analysed by simultaneous differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry. Results It was found that only four of the newer materials contained the α‐form; all the rest comprised β‐gutta‐percha. No weight loss was found for any material under the conditions of the present experiments. A typical heating cycle up to 130°C caused changes in material behaviour – that is, on reheating fewer endothermic peaks were present. Storage of gutta‐percha samples for 10 years under ambient temperature and storage in a heater at 80°C appeared to have no effect on properties. Conclusions It was concluded that heating dental gutta‐percha to 130°C causes physical changes; this was not seen with chemically pure gutta‐percha. The presence of additives in the dental samples altered material behaviour.