Thermoplastic Properties of Endodontic Gutta-percha: A Thermographic In Vitro Study

Abstract Introduction Endodontic gutta-percha undergoes deformation at temperatures above 65°C. The temperature influence of heat carriers on gutta-percha cones was investigated in vitro. Methods Six single-rooted extracted teeth were embedded in resin and fixed. The root canals were prepared (ProFile; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaiques, Switzerland) to different tapers and bisected. Thermographic images when heating the gutta-percha cones (Roeko, Langenau, Germany) with a heat carrier (ML .12; SybronEndo, Orange, CA) at 1 and 5 mm from the working length were made with an infrared thermal imaging camera (ThermaCam P640; Flir Systems, Taby, Sweden). The device temperature was preset at 200°C. T…