The dental gutta-percha is a material of natural origin used in dentistry for more than a century. This material is used to produce gutta-percha tips, one of the oldest root canal filling materials used in endodontic treatments.
In this article, we tell you all about dental gutta-percha, what its function is in dentistry and how they can be classified. In addition, we present the new gutta-percha tips of the well-known brand Medicaline, characterized by its rigidity, sealing and their multiple models that you can choose from.
What is dental gutta-percha and what is its function in dentistry?
Dental gutta-percha is a natural resin from Southeast Asian trees (Isonandra Guta trees). As early as the 19th century it was first introduced in Europe where, after years of observation, great botanical properties and advantages were attributed to the gutta-percha.
This resin is extracted through circular cuts in the trunk, it has a viscous appearance and in order for a tree to be suitable and provide high quality resin it must be at least 30 years old. Extracting from younger trees is also possible but they provide resin of an inferior quality. Gutta-percha is an isomer of polyisoprene in a crystalline form with alternating double bonds. Different types of dental gutta-percha can be obtained depending on the attachment and processors used.
What is Gutta-percha used for in dentistry?
Dental gutta-percha is used for endodontic treatments: it is a flexible and insulating material used for filling the root canal after cleaning. This material is produced in the form of very fine cones, which is known as gutta-percha tips:
- The first gutta-percha tip should be inserted with the same calibre as the last file that has been used to the length of the work.
- This first tip should contain cementitious root canal sealer.
- Once the main gutta-percha tip has been inserted, the sealing is perfectly complemented by adding accessory gutta-percha tips, thus preventing possible leaks inside the canal.
- Finally, the access cavity of the tooth is filled with a protective temporary cement. The function of the gutta-percha has been to hermetically seal the root canal of the tooth correctly.
Classification of gutta-percha tips
A relevant fact is the lack of organisation among manufacturers with this type of material: there is a great variety of sizes, diameters and surfaces of gutta-percha tips, as well as of heterogeneous industrial chemical compositions, however, not all of them follow ISO standards. By sticking to this classification, we can classify gutta-percha tips as follows:
- Length: the length of dental gutta-percha cones must be greater than 28 mm, although this will always be specified by the manufacturer.
- Conicity: the conicity should be 2% and uniform with the different sizes. Therefore the taper size should be ±0.02 mm.
- Radio-opacity: gutta-percha tips shall have a minimum opacity of 6 mm AL.
In addition, they can also be classified according to the techniques that we will carry out in endodontic treatments with the help of a sealant. The 4 main techniques to be classified are:
- The cold compaction method: lateral condensation of the gutta-percha using digital spacers. It is a simple technique and most canals become sealed.
- Dental gutta-percha coated carrier shank method: stainless steel, titanium, plastic and now also alpha gutta-percha coated gutta-percha shanks, with different tapers depending on the system.
- Thermoplastic dental gutta-percha method: the gutta-percha is softened by heat to obtain a better adaptation of the canal walls.
- Mixed or combined method: combines the cold technique with the thermoplastic technique.
In addition, gutta-percha tips have their own characteristics and advantages such as: biocompatibility, long durability in the tooth, non-staining, waterproof and easy to compact. Incredible, isn't it? Although it is important to note that it is not adhesive and cannot be sterilised chemically or with heat. Even so, it is still the star of endodontic root canal sealing by excellence.
Does the gutta-percha tip depend on the file previously used?
The answer is yes. When endodontic procedures are performed, a hole is created in the tooth up to the pulp chamber and for this purpose, one needs files, where small flexible materials, are used. Each file has a different calibre and the canals are carefully cleaned with these instruments, removing dead pulp. The canals can then be shaped with the appropriate material. This is where our material of the day comes into play: dental gutta-percha. As it is elastic, it produces long, very thin cones that get narrower and narrower, called gutta-percha tips.
When introudcingfirst gutta-percha tip inserted into the canal to be treated must have the same calibre as the last file used to prepare the final part of the cavity or canal.
Medicaline Gutapercha Tips
The popular Medicaline brand has launched their new gutta-percha tips. They are available in many different models providing great variety and quality, here they are for you to check them out below:
m-G-Fill Flex: gutta-percha tips (60 pcs)
These gutta-percha tips are designed for use with the Mconic Flex Limes, with an efficient cut files:
- Made of nickel-titanium with gold heat treatment.
- Flexible.
- Variable conicity.
- Optimum debris removal.
- Fracture resistant.
m-G-Fill Easy: gutta-percha tips (60 pcs)
Designed to be specifically used with Mconic Easy limes, featuring:
- Flexibility
- Variable taper.
- Fracture resistant.
- Wavelike movement for better sweeping.
- Clean and safe root canal preparation.
When using the mConic Easy and mConic Flex rotary files, the use of an endodontic motor with torque and speed control is recommended. The canals should be permeabilised with hand files and rotary permeability files.
m-G-Fill: Pirate Gutta-percha Pink (100 pcs)
Pirates gutta-percha tips available in different sizes, all in pink. Do you want to know their advantages?:
- Radiopaque.
- Biocompatible.
- High plasticity.
- Perfect rigidity for a correct three-dimensional sealing.
- Length of 28 mm.
Go to m-g-Fill Pirate Pink Pirate
m-G-Fill: ISO gutta-percha tips (120 pcs)
Dental gutta-percha tips with colored upper end, to easily differentiate the size of the tips.
- Conicity: 0.2 mm.
- Adequate rigidity.
- Available in different sizes.
- Optimal sealing.
- Three-dimensional sealing.
This is our article for today, without a doubt dental gutta-percha is a material discovered hundreds of years ago and yet is very useful for endodontic treatments nowadays. What do you think? How is your experience with this material? Don't hesitate to leave us your comments and experiences! Also, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help you.
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