Study on gutta-percha points using scanning electron microscopy and analysis with electron microprobe

A comparative study of the apical morphology and contour was performed with the scanning electron microscope at 45x, 70x and 300x, while the chemical composition of eight gutta-percha point brands was surveyed with an EDAX 9100 electron microprobe. They were classified according to their apical morphology as conical (25

) and truncate (75

) and irregular (50

) and according to their surface as without defects (50

) and with defects (50

). The analysis of inorganic compounds revealed the presence of varying proportions of Zn, Ba, Si, Mg. Ca, P, Cl and Al, possibly implying that the presence of Ba and Al could interfere with postendodontic repair or at least irritate the periapical area if inadvertently overfilled.