Consultants’ Comments

• “Good for lateral canal filling.”
• “Nice radiographically-dense filling.”
• “Fast and easy to use.”

Description

GuttaFlow is a flowable, gutta percha obturation material that is used in combination with gutta percha endodontic points for the permanent obturation of root canals. It is a two-component system that combines a radiopaque polydimethylsiloxane sealer and gutta percha particles in a capsule. When triturated, the material is used as a bulk-filling sealer in combination with a master gutta percha point for obturation. The flowable gutta percha is injected directly into the canal from the capsule using a canal tip. The material is eugenol-free and biocompatible according to the manufacturer’s studies. The kit contains 20 GuttaFlow capsules, 20 canal tips, 20 rubber stops, one capsule dispensing gun, and assorted gutta percha points – standard AAE/ISO sizes 15-40 and 0.04 taper sizes 20-45. GuttaFlow was used by consultants in over 130 endodontic procedures. This product received an 86% clinical rating.

Product Features

The majority of consultants who evaluated GuttaFlow were currently using rotary files and lateral condensation of gutta percha cones for root canal preparation and obturation. Since no condensation is required with GuttaFlow, the material allows for the elimination of multiple steps. Unlike plastic-carrier obturation, the material is soft enough to allow for traditional re-treatment or post-space preparation as needed. GuttaFlow does not emit any odor and has good postoperative response by patients. The radiographic density and lateral canal fill were found to be excellent on post-operative x-rays. The consistency and flow of the material were mentioned by several consultants as positive features. Most found the instructions and packaging to be adequate and the contents of each capsule to be more than enough for multiple canals. Consultants had concerns with the tendency for excess gutta percha overfill both out the apex and in the pulp chamber, which made clean-up difficult. Also, the plastic capsule tips are easily bent and sometimes difficult to negotiate into narrow canals. Since post spaces and cores could not be placed for at least 30 minutes, some consultants felt the material was not as beneficial when these restorative procedures were necessary. Sixty-seven percent of consultants found GuttaFlow to be equivalent to or better than their current sealer and obturation material. Forty-six percent of consultants would switch from their current technique to GuttaFlow and 60% would recommend it to a colleague.

Clinical Tips

• Make some trial mixes to ensure the capsule will mix consistently in the triturator before use.
• Use a wet cotton pellet to remove excess sealer from the pulp chamber.
• A firm apical stop is necessary to prevent overfills through the apex.
• Wait until material is set (35 minutes) before placement of post or core.

Editors’ Note: GuttaFlow is recommended for all triturators (except centrifugal style). An adapter has been developed by Colt√®ne/Whaledent that allows the capsules to work in the RotoMix™ centrifugal triturator from 3M ESPE.