Flow properties of thermoplasticized Gutta Percha obturation materials

Baek, Myong Hyun; Song, Bu Seok; Choi, Eun Mi

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the flow ability of the thermoplasticized Gutta Percha in different temperatures. Four Gutta Percha products were classified by its hardness (soft, medium, and hard) and were experimented by the Rheometer (Melt flow indexer MFI-10, DAVENPORT, England) measuring apparatus, in (23 ± 2) â„ƒ, and in a relative humidity of (50 ± 5) %, following the guidelines of ISO 1133-1:2011. The heating temperature ranged from 108â„ƒ, 160â„ƒ to 200â„ƒ, and the load at 2.16 kg and 3.8 kg. The Gutta Percha was cut in 5 mm to be suitable for the rheometer pressurization process. After the experiment was conducted with a preheating time of 5 minutes, a cutting time of 5-240 seconds, and a sample of 10 grams, the Gutta Percha did not show any changes in fluidity for 108â„ƒ, 160â„ƒ, but showed a change in its flow ability in 200â„ƒ. Also, the Gutta Percha did not show any changes in its fluidity when it was pressurized by 2.16 and 3.8 kilograms. Therefore, this experiment shows that the heating temperature and the cut-off time showed a significance while measuring the melt flow rate.