Editing Gutta-percha (section)

====Dentistry====

The same bioinertness that made it suitable for marine cables also means it does not readily react within the human body. It is used in a variety of surgical devices and during [[root canal]] therapy. It is the predominant material used to [[wikt:obturate|obturate]], or fill, the empty space inside the root of a tooth after it has undergone [[endodontic therapy]]. Its physical and chemical properties, including  its inertness and [[biocompatibility]], [[melting point]],<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Yee|first1=Fulton S.|last2=Marlin|first2=Jay|last3=Krakow|first3=Alvin Arlen|last4=Gron|first4=Poul|title=Three-dimensional obturation of the root canal using injection-molded, thermoplasticized dental gutta-percha|journal=Journal of Endodontics|volume=3|issue=5|pages=168–174|doi=10.1016/s0099-2399(77)80091-5|year=1977|pmid=266025}}</ref> [[ductility]], and [[malleability]], make it important in [[endodontics]],<ref name=prakesh/> e.g., as gutta-percha points. [[Zinc oxide]] is added to reduce brittleness and improve plasticity. [[Barium sulfate]] is added to provide [[radiopacity]] so that its presence and location can be verified in dental X-ray images.