Dynamic Photoelastic Analysis of Stress Distribution in Simulated Canals Using Rotary Instruments with Varied Tip and Taper Sizes: A Quasi-3D Approach.

INTRODUCTION: To compare the stress produced on the walls of simulated canals by rotary instruments with varied tip and taper sizes. METHODS: Ninety isotropic transparent blocks, each containing a 60-degree curved canal, were distributed into 18 groups (n = 5) based on the instrument tip (sizes 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35) and taper (sizes 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06). The blocks were fixed in a circular polariscope setup for dark field analysis. A digital camera was employed to capture the real-time birefringence patterns generated by each instrument. Digital image frames, corresponding to the instrument reaching the end of each canal third, were extracted and evaluated by 2 independent observers for the stress generation on canal walls. The data analysis employed a semi-quantitative scale ranging from 0 to 5. Cohen's Kappa coefficient test was used to determine the inter-observer agreement while the results were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test followed by an all-pairwise posthoc procedure (α = 5%). RESULTS: Inter-observer agreement was 0.95. A significant influence of the tip size on stress was observed across the coronal (P = .011), middle (P = .006), and apical (P = .026) thirds. In contrast, taper size did not affect the stress induced at the coronal (P = .509), middle (P = .958), or apical (P = .493) thirds. The variations in tip and taper sizes did not result in a significant stress differences among the thirds (P = .181). CONCLUSIONS: The stress significantly increased across all canal thirds with larger tip sizes of rotary instruments, whereas the taper sizes did not influence the stress when compared to the canal thirds.

Quasi-3D dynamic photoelastic analysis of stress distribution during preparation of simulated canals with 13 mechanical preparation systems.

AIM: The aim of this study is to compare the stress produced on the internal walls of simulated canals by nine rotary and four reciprocating systems. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-five isotropic transparent blocks containing a 60° curved and tapered simulated canal were selected and distributed into 13 groups (n = 5) according to the preparation system: BioRace, HyFlex EDM, iRaCe, Mtwo, One RECI, ProTaper Next, RaCe EVO, Reciproc, Reciproc Blue, R-Motion, VDW.ROTATE, XP-Endo Rise Shaper, and XP-Endo Shaper. Each resin block was mounted in a vice and a digital camera recorded the entire sequence of each preparation system through a circular polariscope set for dark field analysis. The video frames when each instrument reached the end of the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the canal were extracted from the recordings and analysed by two independent observers regarding the stress generated on the canal walls using a semi-quantitative evaluation on a 0-5 scale. Intra- and inter-observer agreement were subjected to the Cohen's Kappa coefficient test, whilst the experimental results were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test post hoc pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction (α = 5%). RESULTS: The inter- and intra-observer agreement were 0.98 and 1, respectively. Most instruments demonstrated acceptable performance (scores ≤ 2) in all thirds. Other instruments, such as the HyFlex EDM 25.12 (coronal and middle thirds), Reciproc Blue R25 and Reciproc R25 (coronal and apical thirds), R-Motion 30.04 (apical third), and VDW.ROTATE 20.05 (apical third) showed scores higher than 3. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference amongst the tested systems at the coronal, middle, and apical thirds (p < .05). CONCLUSION: None of the canal instrumentation protocols were stress-free, showing varying levels of stress concentrations. Various factors seemed to influence the magnitude of stress and its distribution pattern on the canal walls. Overall, instruments characterized by a larger taper, lower speed, reciprocating motion, and made of heat-treated NiTi alloy exhibited higher patterns of stress distribution.

Photoelastic analysis of stresses transmitted by complete dentures lined with hard or soft liners.

Stresses transmitted on the alveolar bone ridge by lined conventional complete mandibular dentures can decrease the bone absorption level. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the stresses induced on the alveolar bone ridge of lined conventional complete mandibular dentures by using photoelastic analysis. One maxillary and three mandibular conventional dentures were developed for the following treatments: 1 - Unlined denture (control), 2 - Denture lined with resin-based material, and 3 - Denture lined with silicone-based material. The photoelastic analysis took place with the dentures in the position of maximum intercuspation, and the mandibular photoelastic models were axially loaded with 10 kgf (98 N). Unlined denture (control) presented stresses along the model, especially on the anterior and left lateral sides with less stresses on the right side. On the left lateral side, the denture base lined with resin-based material demonstrated similar stresses to that of the control; however, lower stresses occurred in the premolar and retromolar regions. Denture bases lined with silicone-based material showed decreased fringe orders and homogeneous distribution of induced stresses. Both lined dentures exhibited lower stresses when compared to unlined dentures. Silicone-based material provided a more homogeneous distribution of stresses.

Photoelastic evaluation of two different sagittal split ramus osteotomies in advancement surgery.

The aim of this study was to establish the influence of the design of the sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) on stress distribution on the osteosynthesis in a photoelastic resin model. Two polyurethane hemimandibles were used to perform the osteotomies, tilted in the lateral sector of the first/second molar (group I) and the other descending downwards and laterally from the first molar (group II), with no higher angle. Six replicas of each were made in photoelastic resin and stabilized with a plate and 5 mm monocortical screws in a standardized way. Stabilization was done in the SSRO without advancement, with 3 mm advancement and with 7 mm advancement. Compressive loads were applied at the level of the lower first molar in an Instron machine (model 4411) with a speed of 1 mm/min until reaching 3 mm of displacement, at which point the data was recorded with a camera to identify the stress distribution bands. The results showed stress distribution in different places: for group I it was observed mainly in the screws of the proximal segment, being more intense closer to the osteotomy; in group II I it was observed mainly in the screws of the proximal segment furthest from the osteotomy, also being distributed towards the upper area of the plate. It may be concluded that under standard osteosynthesis conditions, modifications to the SSRO produce changes in the location and distribution of stress.