Atomic force microscopy study of gutta-percha cone topography.
The aim of this study was to investigate the topography of the apical portion of 4 different commercially available standardized gutta-percha (GP) cones with atomic force microscopy (AFM). GP cones (Analytic, Dentsply, Tanari, and Endo Points) were cut 3 mm from the tip, attached in a glass base, and positioned in the AFM. Analyses were performed on 3 different regions of the GP sample and on 3 separate points of each region. Root mean square (RMS) parameters for topographic amplitudes and lateral force variations were calculated. The differences among GP brands were tested by ANOVA with a Fisher protected LSD test of multiple comparisons. According to our results, only Endo Points showed similar behavior between 2 parameters assessed (P <.05). All brands showed normally distributed deep depression in the apical portions, which are within the same scale as proteins and bacterial products that the cones should be blocking. AFM offers a powerful new tool to directly evaluate the characterization of GP cone surfaces.
Department of Genetics and Morphology, Institute of Biology, Brazil.
Caroline R A
CR
Valois
Luciano P
LP
Silva
Ricardo B
RB
Azevedo
Edson D
ED
Costa
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D006171:Gutta-Percha