Scanning Electron Microscopy Study of Dental Gutta-Percha after Cutting

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphologic surface of gutta-percha cones after cutting with different methods. MATERIALS AND 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. CONCLUSION 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.