Gutta-Percha
Pronunciation: GUT-uh PUR-chuh
A natural thermoplastic polymer derived from the Palaquium tree, used as the primary core material for root canal obturation.
Full Definition
Gutta-percha is the predominant solid-core material used to obturate root canals following endodontic treatment. It is biocompatible, radiopaque, dimensionally stable, and can be softened with heat or solvents to adapt to complex canal morphologies. In editorial usage, the term is always hyphenated ('gutta-percha') and written in lowercase unless beginning a sentence; the non-hyphenated form 'guttapercha' is non-standard in contemporary English endodontic literature. It is used in conjunction with a root canal sealer and should not be described as the sole sealing material. Editors should flag any document that uses 'gutta-percha' to mean the sealer itself.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate. The abbreviation 'GP' is acceptable in operative shorthand but should be expanded at first use in formal documents.
In Context
- "Master apical gutta-percha cones were fitted and confirmed radiographically before obturation." — Operative report
- "The canals were obturated with thermoplasticised gutta-percha using the System B technique." — Case report