Evaluation of the ability of essential oils to dissolve gutta-percha.

Eighteen essential oils were compared with chloroform for their ability to dissolve gutta-percha. Only chloroform and rectified turpentine oil dissolved gutta-percha completely.

The effect of essential oil type on the setting time of Grossman's sealer and Roth root canal cement.

Setting times were determined for mixtures consisting of the powder components of Grossman's sealer or Roth root canal cement with either eugenol, oil of pimento or oil of Melaleuca. The powder component of Grossman's sealer, when mixed with eugenol or oil of pimento, had a significantly shorter setting time than did the powder component of Grossman's sealer mixed with oil of Melaleuca or Roth root canal cement mixed with eugenol, oil of pimento, or oil of Melaleuca.