title: Radicular temperatures associated with thermoplasticized gutta-percha.
abstract: Thermoplasticized gutta-percha has been used to obturate root canals. The continuous wave of condensation technique uses the System B Heat Source with the choice of different-sized pluggers. The purpose of this study was to measure the temperatures within the root canal and on the root surface at different radicular levels while using the System B Heat Source. Fine, Fine-Medium, and Medium pluggers were evaluated at temperature settings of 200 degrees C, 250 degrees C, and 300 degrees C. The Obtura II gutta-percha delivery system following the manufacturer's instructions and ultrasonically thermoplasticized gutta-percha were used for comparative purposes. The highest mean temperature change on the internal root surface was 74.19 degrees C with the system B at the 6 mm level (6 mm coronal to working length) when the Fine-Medium plugger was set at 300 degrees C. The lowest mean temperature change on the internal root surface was 2.09 degrees C at the 0 mm level (at working length) when the F plugger was set at 200 degrees C. With the Obtura II, the lowest mean internal temperature change was 5.22 degrees C at the 0 mm level, whereas the highest mean internal temperature change was 26.63 degrees C at the 6 mm level. With ultrasonic lateral compaction the lowest mean internal temperature change was 5.01 degrees C at the 0 mm level, whereas the highest mean internal temperature change was 28.95 degrees C at the 6 mm level. At no time did the System B, the Obtura II, or ultrasonic delivery of warm gutta-percha exceed an increase of 10 degrees C at any thermocouple level on the external root surface.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Sweatman
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sakaguchi
mesh_terms: D001831:Body Temperature; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000502:physiology*; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000502:physiology*; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D006171:Gutta-Percha