FAQs about the GuttaMaster system

The GuttaMaster^® system is based on the tried and tested carrier-based technology. A plasticcarrier is coated in alpha gutta-percha with a low melting point. The GuttaMaster system allowsyou to achieve a tight filling, including lateral canals and isthmi, efficiently and in just a fewsteps. Obturators and verifiers are adapted for preparation with the Mtwo^® NiTi system.

Yes. The carrier/verifier material consists of a non-toxic polymer compound. This syntheticmaterial is also used in implantology and is physically very well accepted.

As a rule, gutta-percha is not sterilised. Therefore the obturator should be disinfected beforeuse. Disinfect the GuttaMaster^® obturator for at least one minute in a sodium hypochlorite solutionor in high proof alcohol and then dry it.

This step is very important, as moisture in the root canal can cause an insufficient binding of sealer and gutta-percha resulting in a not tight enough filling.

Carefully remove the stopper, e.g. by using a scalpel and mark the obturation reference length,for instance with the help of a permanent marker.

As with any root filling process that is based on gutta-percha as the core material, GuttaMaster^®also requires a sealer for sealing purposes. In addition, the sealer improves the lubricity of the plasticised gutta-percha. The sealer smoothes out the unevenness and improves the connection between the gutta-percha filling and the dentinal wall. Furthermore, using a sealer seems to reduce the temperatures acting on the outer radicular walls. The temperature-lowering effect of the sealer is highly appreciated, even if we know from several studies that the temperatures used with this filling method are not harmful to the periradicular structures.

A sealer suitable for warm obturation methods should be used. We recommend the use of 2Seal. This sealer has been proven suitable for warm filling methods and furthermore is recommended as a filling material in the guidelines of the DGZMK (German Dental Association).

Apply a small amount of sealer, preferably with a dry paper point around the root canal entrance, and spread the sealer with a stirring movement up to the apex. Please note that a thin sealer layer is completely sufficient. The root canal wall only has to be lightly coated.

The GuttaMaster^® system is tailored to preparation with the Mtwo^® NiTi system. Therefore you should perform your preparation with Mtwo and, as described in the user tips, prepare the canal form according to the GuttaMaster filling method.

A root canal correctly prepared for obturation with warm gutta-percha should exhibit a continuously conical cavity – with the lowest diameter in the foramic area and the highest diameter in the coronal area. A higher conicity makes thermoplastic filling methods, such as the carrier-based technology, easier. A preparation with a conicity of 5 % or higher meets these requirements.

In the cold state the obturator has a conicity of 2–2,5 %, depending on its size. Once the obturatoris heated and inserted into the root canal, the gutta-percha is deformed and adjusts itself tothe canal anatomy and its respective conicity.

Yes. GuttaMaster^® is a very effective filling method for curved root canals. Especially curved canals often pose the problem that with normal warm gutta-percha filling the used heat-conductors and pluggers often cannot be inserted to full working length due to the challenging anatomy. This results in the gutta-percha being not warm enough in the apical region and an insufficient plastification of the root filling. The GuttaMaster system however allows for a warm gutta-percha filling up to full workinglength, even in curved canals. The high flexibility of the GuttaMaster carrier enables an applicationof gutta-percha also in strongly curved canals without exposing the plastic core.

Yes. GuttaMaster^® obturators are coated with alpha gutta-percha. A special heat treatment lowers the melting point of the gutta-percha, enhancing its ease of flow. It is therefore better suitable for warm obturation methods than beta gutta-percha.

If you stick to the sequence of steps described in the user tips, both the apical area and the lateral canals can be filled with gutta-percha. Kindly note that this filling method should be trained, before using it on patients, to enhance confidence when applying the GuttaMaster^® technology. If you are interested in training options, please contact your local distributor.

Yes, that is possible, for example if the chosen obturator was not heated optimally. Or if guttapercha was accidentally wiped off when the obturator was lifted out of the oven and this obturator was then used for filling. Take the GuttaMaster^® obturator carefully out of the holder of the GuttaMaster^® oven. Take care that the gutta-percha is not accidentally wiped off the plastic carrier and insert the obturator into the root canal with a slow, steady, apically-directed movement. It is important that the direction of movement always runs along the longitudinal axis of the carrier to prevent it frombending. If you follow these steps, you can prevent the gutta-percha from being whipped off and the entire root canal can be filled tightly. Furthermore we recommend using a surgical loupe or a dental microscope.

You have approx. 10 seconds (transfer time) before the obturator has cooled off to a temperature where the material can possibly no longer be inserted to the desired depth. Therefore there is no need to rush the insertion of the heated obturator. If, however, you need longer or you have to take a short break, the GuttaMaster^® oven is designed to maintain the respective heating temperature for 90 seconds. An audible signal will remind you several times that there is still an obturator in the oven. As soon as this signal stops, you should fill the root canal with the obturator in the oven within 10 seconds. If you exceed the 10 second transfer time, you can let the obturator cool down and then heat it up again. However, the obturator must not be damaged and the gutta-percha coating must be intact.

The gutta-percha cools down within 2 to 4 minutes and becomes increasingly rigid. During this time it is important that the handle is not moved. Instead, constant pressure should be applied for a few seconds towards the apex. If the obturator is pulled or turned, the filling result can be affected.

Before and while you separate the obturator handle with the appropriate drill, you should apply even pressure to the handle with a finger until it separates. This prevents the obturator from coming loose. As soon as the gutta-percha has cooled off sufficiently, a loosening of the filling is impossible.

Kindly take note that if the obturator is inserted too quickly and with too much pressure, the air can be compressed to such an extent that the patient feels pain. To prevent this, always insert the heated obturator steadily and slowly into the root canal. In order to protect the patient from feeling any pain, we recommend administering an anesthetic before the endodontic procedure.

After having prepared the root canals, seal off those canals not to be filled in the first step, for example by using a foam pellet. This blocks a possible transfer of the sealer or gutta-percha into other prepared root canals.