RESEARCH ARTICLE


Temperature Profiles Along the Root with Gutta-percha Warmed through Different Heat Sources



Michele Simeone 1, Roberto De Santis 2, Gianluca Ametrano 1, Davide Prisco 1, Marino Borrelli 1, Sergio Paduano 3, Francesco Riccitiello 1, Gianrico Spagnuolo *, 1
1 Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
2 Institute of Composite and Biomedical Materials, National Research Council of Italy, Naples, Italy
3 Department of Health Science, University of Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy


Article Metrics

CrossRef Citations:
4
Total Statistics:

Full-Text HTML Views: 333
Abstract HTML Views: 98
PDF Downloads: 146
Total Views/Downloads: 577
Unique Statistics:

Full-Text HTML Views: 173
Abstract HTML Views: 73
PDF Downloads: 123
Total Views/Downloads: 369



Creative Commons License
© Simeone et al.; Licensee Bentham Open.

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Neuro-sciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Universi-ty of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Tel: +390817462080; E-mail: gianrico.spagnuolo@gmail.com


Abstract

Objectives:

To evaluate temperature profiles developing in the root during warm compaction of gutta-percha with the heat sources System B and System MB Obtura (Analityc Technology, Redmond, WA, USA). Thirty extracted human incisor teeth were used. Root canals were cleaned and shaped by means of Protaper rotary files (Dentsply-Maillefer, Belgium), and imaging was performed by micro-CT (Skyscan 1072, Aartselaar, Belgium).

Methods:

Teeth were instrumented with K-type thermocouples, and the roots were filled with thermoplastic gutta-percha. Vertical compaction was achieved through the heat sources System B and System MB, and temperature profiles were detect-ed by means of NI Dac Interface controlled by the LabView System. With both heat sources, higher temperature levels were recorded in the region of the root far from the apex. When the warm plugger tip was positioned at a distance of 3 mm from the root apex, temperature levels of about 180°C were used to soften gutta-percha, and no statistically significant differences were observed between peak temperatures developed by the two heating sources at the root apex. However, a temperature level higher than 40°C was maintained for a longer time with System MB.

Results:

Statistically significant differences were observed in peak temperature levels recorded far from the root apex. Thus, with a temperature of about 180°C and the warm plugger positioned at 3 mm from the root apex, both heating sources led to a temperature slightly higher than 40°C at the apex of the root, suggesting that the gutta-percha was properly softened. Significance: A temperature level higher than 40°C was maintained for a longer time with System MB, thus providing an ad-equate time for warm compaction of the gutta-percha.

Keywords: Gutta-percha, Micro-CT, NiTi, Rotary Files, System B, System MB.