Comparative evaluation of tip diameter of different gutta-percha cones according to ISO 6877 measurement method and direct measurement method: an in vitro study
Abstract
Objectives: Accurate fitting of the gutta-percha master cone is essential to ensure apical sealing and the success of endodontic treatment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the dimensional variability of gutta-percha cones by assessing the conformity of their apical tip diameter to manufacturer-specified values, and to compare tip diameter (D0) determination according to ISO 6877 with a direct measurement method. Methods: Ten size 25/.06 and ten size 30/.04 gutta-percha cones from ten commercial brands were evaluated. The apical tip diameter was determined according to the ISO 6877 measurement protocol and compared with a direct measurement obtained using a profilometer. Results: A substantial number of gutta-percha cones exhibited apical tip diameters that did not correspond to manufacturer-declared values. ISO 6877-based determination of D0 yielded heterogeneous results, likely due to morphological irregularities and taper variations. In contrast, direct measurement provided more homogeneous values that were generally closer to the nominal diameter. Cones manufactured using an injection molding process demonstrated the highest dimensional consistency. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to revise the dimensional tolerances defined by ISO standard 6877. The adoption of more precise manufacturing and quality-control processes, together with the use of direct measurement as a complementary assessment tool, may improve the reliability of the nominal dimensions of gutta-percha cones.
Related
- Comparative evaluation of methods for measuring standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids for different sorghum varieties in broilers.
- Comparative assessment of phytoplankton community using different filtration methods based on environmental DNA metabarcoding—a case study of Caohai Wetland
- Fascicle measurement methods do result in lengths that are significantly different
- Comparative study of chlorophyll measurement in Physcomitrium patens moss using a conventional microscope adapted for combined 2D+1D imaging and spectral analysis
- Unraveling material characteristics of different pork belly cuts from raw to dish: a comparative study of texture and flavor
BibTeX
@article{balthazard2026comparative,
title = {{Comparative evaluation of tip diameter of different gutta-percha cones according to ISO 6877 measurement method and direct measurement method: an in vitro study}},
author = {Rémy Balthazard and Renaud Giess and Loïs Martrette and Jean-Marc Martrette and Marin Vincent and Éric Mortier},
journal = {Restorative Dentistry \& Endodontics},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.5395/rde.2026.51.e42},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05753871v1},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Comparative evaluation of tip diameter of different gutta-percha cones according to ISO 6877 measurement method and direct measurement method: an in vitro study
AU - Rémy Balthazard
AU - Renaud Giess
AU - Loïs Martrette
AU - Jean-Marc Martrette
AU - Marin Vincent
AU - Éric Mortier
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/17
JO - Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics
DO - 10.5395/rde.2026.51.e42
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05753871v1
AB - Objectives: Accurate fitting of the gutta-percha master cone is essential to ensure apical sealing and the success of endodontic treatment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the dimensional variability of gutta-percha cones by assessing the conformity of their apical tip diameter to manufacturer-specified values, and to compare tip diameter (D0) determination according to ISO 6877 with a direct measurement method. Methods: Ten size 25/.06 and ten size 30/.04 gutta-percha cones from ten commercial brands were evaluated. The apical tip diameter was determined according to the ISO 6877 measurement protocol and compared with a direct measurement obtained using a profilometer. Results: A substantial number of gutta-percha cones exhibited apical tip diameters that did not correspond to manufacturer-declared values. ISO 6877-based determination of D0 yielded heterogeneous results, likely due to morphological irregularities and taper variations. In contrast, direct measurement provided more homogeneous values that were generally closer to the nominal diameter. Cones manufactured using an injection molding process demonstrated the highest dimensional consistency. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to revise the dimensional tolerances defined by ISO standard 6877. The adoption of more precise manufacturing and quality-control processes, together with the use of direct measurement as a complementary assessment tool, may improve the reliability of the nominal dimensions of gutta-percha cones.
SN - 2234-7658
SN - 2234-7666
ER -