COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN STANDARDIZED ENDODONTIC FINGER SPREADERS AND ACCESSORY GUTTA-PERCHA CONES

Twenty samples of each size designation of finger spreaders and access ory gutta-percha cones were randomly selected from a proprietary stand ardized system currently used for lateral condensation procedures, The ir diameters were measured with a calliper and their morphological var iations at the areas of their apical thirds were analized with the sca nning electron microscope. Results of the measurements indicated that there were high degrees of variation between all spreaders and their c orresponding accessory gutta-pereha cones (p<0.001). SEM examination s howed the presence of many morphologic irregularities and lack of unif ormity between spreaders and cones of the same size. Our results empha size the need for more precise criteria to fulfill the requirements of standardization by the manufacturer to provide an accurate method for root canal obturation.