Abstract

CASTILHO, Eloísa Higashi; BRITTO, Maria Leticia Borges; MACHADO, Manoel Eduardo de Lima  and  NABESHIMA, Cleber Keiti. Accuracy of the tip diameter on gutta-percha cones of different tapers. Arq. Odontol. [online]. 2014, vol.50, n.3, pp. 138-141. ISSN 1516-0939.

Aim: This study was aimed to analyze the tip diameter of gutta-percha cones of different tapers regarding manufacturer specifications. One hundred forty gutta-percha cones (Dentsply Maillefer): F2 and F3, as well as 25, 30, 35, and 40 of taper .02, .04, and .06 (n = 10) were used for this study. The cones were fitted into a calibrator ruler and observed by optical microscopy at a magnification of 40X. Next, the tip diameter was measured using a digital pachymeter. The data were classified as correct or incorrect considering ±0.01 mm of error, and the Fisher Exact test was applied (p ≤ 0.05). Results: Four gutta percha cones proved to be incorrect; however no significant differences could be observed among the groups regarding manufacturer standards. Conclusion: It could therefore be concluded that Dentsply Maillefer gutta percha cones, regardless of the tapers (.02, .04, .06, F2 and F3), possess a tip diameter that is calibrated according to manufacturer specifications.

Keywords : Gutta-percha.; Root canal obturation.; Endodontics..