Rheological characterization of thermoplasticized injectable gutta percha and resilon

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to observe the change in the viscoelastic properties of thermoplasticized injectable root canal filling materials as a function of temperature and to compare the handling characteristics of these materials. Materials and Methods: Three commercial gutta perchas and Resilon (Pentron Clinical Technologies) in a pellet form were heated in the Obtura-II system (Obtura Spartan) at $140^{\circ}C$ and $200^{\circ}C$, and the extrusion temperature of the thermoplasticized materials was measured. The viscoelastic properties of the materials as a function of temperature were evaluated using a rheometer. The elastic modulus G', viscous modulus G", loss tangent tan${\delta}$, and complex viscosity ${\eta}^*$ were determined. The phase transition temperature was determined by both the rheometer and a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The consistency of the materials was compared under compacting pressure at $60^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$ by a squeeze test. Results: The three gutta perchas had dissimilar profiles in viscoelastic properties with varying temperature. The phase transition of softened materials into solidification occurred at $40^{\circ}C$ to $50^{\circ}C$, and the onset temperatures obtained by a rheometer and a DSC were similar to each other. The onset temperature of phase transition and the consistency upon compaction pressure were different among the materials (p < 0.05). Resilon had a rheologically similar pattern to the gutta perchas, and was featured between high and low-flow gutta perchas. Conclusions: The rheological characteristics of the thermoplasticized root canal filling materials changed under a cooling process. The dissimilar viscoelastic properties among the materials require different handling characteristics during an injecting and compacting procedure.

열연화주입형 gutta percha와 resilon의 유변학적 특성

연구목적: 본 연구의 목적은 열연화주입형 gutta percha와 resilon의 온도 변화에 따른 점탄성 변화를 관찰하고 조작성을 비교하기 위함이다. 연구 재료 및 방법: Obtura-II 시스템을 이용하여 세 종류의 gutta percha와 resilon을 $140^{\circ}C$와 $200^{\circ}C$로 가열한 후 사출 온도를 측정하였다. 점도계를 이용하여 온도 변화에 따른 재료들의 점탄성 특성(전단탄성계수, G'; 전단점성계수, G"; 손실 탄젠트, tan${\delta}$; 복소점도, ${\eta}^*$)을 관찰하였다. 점도계와 차동주사열측정기(DSC)로 재료들의 상전이 온도를 측정하였고 가압법으로 $60^{\circ}C$와 $40^{\circ}C$에서 재료들의 점조도를 비교하였다. 결과: 세 종의 gutta perchas는 온도에 따라 서로 다른 점탄성 특성을 나타냈다. $40-50^{\circ}C$에서 연화된 재료의 고체화 상변이가 일어났고, 점도계와 DSC로 측정된 상변이 시작 온도는 유사하였다. 상변이 시작 온도와 가압 시 점조도는 재료들마다 차이를 보였다(p < 0.05). Resilon은 gutta percha와 비슷한 유변학적 특성을 보였다. 결론: 열연화된 근관충전재는 냉각과정 동안 유변학적 특성의 변화를 나타냈고 재료들마다 서로 다른 점탄성 특성은 근관 내주입 시와 충전 시 서로 다른 조작성을 보임을 알 수 있다.