Scanning electron microscopy study of dental gutta-percha after cutting.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphologic surface of gutta-percha cones after cutting with different methods.


METHODS
The apical 3 millimeters of forty standardized, gutta-percha cones size 40 were cut off using scissors or a scalpel against a glass slab. The samples were then examined under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for topographic deformity.


RESULTS
According to results, cutting with scissors produced significant topographic deformity in the standardized gutta-percha cone surface but cutting with sharp surgical instrument against a glass slab allowed the development of a smooth and unmodified gutta-percha cone surface.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study recommended that cutting the tip of a gutta-percha point with a sharp scalpel against a glass slab would produce more reasonable surface morphology than using scissor for the same procedure.
Department of Endodontics, Dental Research Center, Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Saeed
S
Asgary
Department of Endodontics, Dental School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Masoud
M
Parirokh
Department of Endodontics, Dental Research Center, Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Jafar
MJ
Eghbal
Department of Endodontics, Dental School, Mashad University of Medical Sciences, Mashad, Iran.
Jamileh
J
Ghoddusi
Cutting; Gutta-Percha; SEM