Obtura Needle Lock Nuts (2)

Obtura Spartan · Wear parts

A nut full of gutta percha is a needle that never gets hot

The needle nut does two jobs, and the second is the one people miss. It holds the applicator needle on the heater thread – and it carries heat from the heater into the needle. Obtura Spartan are specific: a nut that has filled with gutta percha will not tighten completely, and will inhibit thermal transfer from the heater to the needle. Cold material at the tip often starts here rather than at the set point.

This pack: Obtura Needle Nuts · pack of 2 · fits the Obtura III Max handpiece · fitted and removed with the Multi-Tool

›  Replace when: the threads become worn, or the nut can no longer be sufficiently cleaned

›  Re-usable: Obtura Spartan say nuts can be collected and cleaned thoroughly at a later date for re-use – so a spare pair keeps you running while a batch soaks

›  Fitting: re-attach to the heater thread with the Multi-Tool, taking care not to cross-thread, and tighten until snug – not over-tightened, and not left loose

What a gutta-percha-filled nut is telling you

Obtura Spartan read it as a symptom rather than a fault. If the needle nut is becoming filled with gutta percha, it may indicate that the nut has been tightened insufficiently. Use the Multi-Tool to assure proper fit rather than fingers and it usually stops recurring.

Not the blue Heater Nut

These are the nuts that come off with every needle change. The blue plastic Heater Nut further back is a different part, fastened to the gun with a set-screw, and Obtura Spartan warn that loosening or removing it will cause damage. It stays where it is.

Asked before buying

Can I leave the nut loose so the needle swivels? No, and Obtura Spartan answer that one directly – the needle nut is not designed to be used that way and must always be tightened securely before extruding gutta percha. For awkward access, loosen it, rotate the needle to where you want it, and re-tighten.

Why a pack of two? It is what makes the manufacturer's own “clean them later for re-use” instruction workable – one pair in service while the other soaks.

The rest of the system

Pack of 2 · Obtura III Max · Multi-Tool fitted · REF OBT-823616 · mfr code 823-616