title: The significance of environmental contamination of sealer and gutta-percha before endodontic obturation.
abstract: The importance of decontaminating the gutta-percha cones before their placement as an obturating agent in a root canal system has been advocated. This study was undertaken to determine the existence of a pattern between the time of exposure of the obturating materials to the environment and the introduction of a microbial contaminant. A clinical obturation appointment was simulated. No clear time/related pattern of exposure and prediction of contamination could be established. Environmental contamination was found to occur only rarely. The organisms isolated proved to be nonpathogenic and common to the environment.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Klager
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Dupont
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004340:Drug Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D010209:Paper; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013997:Time Factors; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement
chemical_list: D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; D006171:Gutta-Percha