Gutta percha

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Gutta Percha

Gutta Percha (pronunciation: guh-tuh pur-chuh) is a rigid natural latex produced from the sap of certain trees, primarily those in the genus Palaquium found in Southeast Asia. It was first introduced to the Western world in the mid-19th century and has been used in a variety of applications, including dentistry and electrical insulation.

Etymology

The term "Gutta Percha" comes from the plant's name in Malay, which translates to "percha sap". The word "gutta" is derived from the Malay word getah, meaning sap, and "percha" is from the Malay name for the tree, Pokok Perca.

Uses

In Dentistry, Gutta Percha is commonly used as a filling material for root canal treatments. It is favored for its biocompatibility, malleability, and ability to be heated and molded to fit the intricate spaces within the tooth.

In the Electrical Industry, Gutta Percha was historically used as an insulator for underwater telegraph cables during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its water resistance and insulating properties made it an ideal material for this purpose.

Related Terms

  • Latex: A milky fluid found in many plants, such as poppies and spurges, that exudes when the plant is cut and coagulates on exposure to the air.
  • Palaquium: A genus of flowering plants in the family Sapotaceae, native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
  • Biocompatibility: The quality of not having toxic or injurious effects on biological systems.
  • Root Canal: A treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski