[Relative rigidity of standardized gutta-percha points].

Gutta-percha points often crack off when inserted in small and curved root canals before they have reached the full length of the canal. The goal of this investigation was to determine the relative rigidity of standardized gutta-percha points from different producers. It seems that not only significant differences between gutta-percha points of various producers, but also distinct variations between gutta-percha points from the same producer were detected. Several reasons for the differing rigidity of gutta-percha points are discussed.