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. 2024 Feb;36(2):281-285.
doi: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2023.10.025. Epub 2023 Nov 2.

Comparing the softening effect of three gutta-percha solvents on different types of gutta-percha with different application durations

Amre R Atmeh  1 , Dhary Alshaiji  2 , Farida Abdunabi  1 , Mohammed Alamri  2 , Amar Hassan Khamis  1
Affiliations

Comparing the softening effect of three gutta-percha solvents on different types of gutta-percha with different application durations

Amre R Atmeh et al. Saudi Dent J. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: During non-surgical endodontic retreatment, gutta-percha (GP) solvents are indispensable in difficult cases when used with mechanical removal, however studies comparing their efficacy against different types of GP are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the softening effect of three solvents on the conventional (CGP), cross-linked carrier-based (CLGP), and thermoplasticized (TGP) and compare the effect of time on the softening effect of the solvents.

Methods: Tested GP were embedded in cuboidal blocks of stone with their upper surfaces exposed (1 mm diameter). Three commercial GP solvents based on D-Limonene (DL), Eucalyptol oil (EO), and orange oil (OO) were added to the exposed GP before an indenter (weight = 1Kg) was applied. Using a digital camera, the indentation depth was measured (mm) directly after applying the solvent and indenter (T = 0), and after 1, 2, and 3 min of application (T = 1,2,3). The means of indentation depth were calculated and compared using a two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test to assess the effect of the types of solvent, GP for each application duration, and Friedman's test to evaluate the effect of application duration on the softening effect of solvents.

Results: The type of GP (F = 261.43, p < 0.001), type of solvent (F = 3.57, p = 0.015), and application duration (F = 53.088, p < 0.001) were all found to significantly affect GP softening. DL exhibited the highest and only significant effect on CGP after 1 min (p < 0.05), while OO had the only significant effect against CLGP when applied for at least 2 min (p < 0.05). Both OO and EO had significant softening effects on TGP instantly or after 1 min of application, respectively.

Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that the softening effect of GP solvents varies depending on their type, their application duration, and the type of GP.

Keywords: Cross-linked gutta-percha; D-limonene; Eucalyptus oil; Indentation; Orange oil; Solvents.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The indentation testing apparatus. (A) Metal rod with a pointed tip attached to a holder that allows vertical movement only. (B) Gutta-percha embedded in cuboidal blocks of stone with their surfaces exposed. (C) Black board for photography background. (D) Graph paper (1 mm) as a reference to measure the indentation depth. (E) Mobile phone digital camera mounted at the same level as the upper surface of the stone block.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Indentation depth measurements representing the softening effect of each GP solvent (DL, EO, OO) on different types of Gutta-percha (CGP, CLGP, TGP) in comparison to water (W) at different application durations (T = 0,1, 2, 3 min). Based on two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) are indicated with (*).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The effect of time on the indentation depth representing the softening effect of each solvent (DL, EO, OO) on different types of Gutta-percha (CGP, CLGP, TGP). Based on Friedman’s test, (*) Indicates statistically significant differences between the consequent data points (p < 0.05).
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