In Vitro Effect of Flow on Penetration Depth of Thermo-plasticized Gutta Percha

Penetration of injectable gutta percha into the root canals is of utmost importance in success of endodontic treatment and is related to the composition, phase and flow of gutta percha. The aim of this study was to evaluate the penetration depth of gutta percha into the simulated root canals using #60 and #80 flow rates by Beefill system.
This in vitro experimental study was done on 48 artificial canals created in the form of a semicircle in a bovine femur. The canals were prepared using FlexMaster rotary instruments according to the manufacturer’s instructions for narrow canals and filled with gutta percha and sealer using BeeFill #60 and #80 flow rates at 180°C with 0.6-mm applicator tips. Digital images were taken from the root fillings and the root filling penetration depths were determined for each sample. The data were statistically analyzed by student t-test.
The mean penetration depths of thermo-plasticized gutta percha were 2.58mm and 4.83mm for #60 and #80 BeeFill flow rates, respectively. The difference between the two rates was not statistically significant (P=0.69).
Both #60 and #80 BeeFill flow rates provided almost similar penetration depth of gutta percha in the artificial root canals.