A numerical method for predicting the bending fatigue life of NiTi and stainless steel root canal instruments.

AIM: To evaluate the bending fatigue lifetime of nickel-titanium alloy (NiTi) and stainless steel (SS) endodontic files using finite element analysis. METHODOLOGY: The strain-life approach was adopted and two theoretical geometry profiles, the triangular (TR) and the square cross-sections, were considered. Both low-cycle fatigue (LCF) lifetime and high-cycle fatigue (HCF) lifetime were evaluated. RESULTS: The bending fatigue behaviour was affected by the material property and the cross-sectional configuration of the instrument. Both the cross-section factor and material property had a substantial impact on fatigue lifetime. The NiTi material and TR geometry profiles were associated with better fatigue resistance than that of SS and square cross-sections. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, finite element models were established for endodontic files to prejudge their fatigue lifetime, a tool that would be useful for dentist to prevent premature fatigue fracture of endodontic files.

A mathematical model for describing the mechanical behaviour of root canal instruments.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to establish a general mathematical model for describing the mechanical behaviour of root canal instruments by combining a theoretical analytical approach with a numerical finite-element method. METHOD: Mathematical formulas representing the longitudinal (taper, helical angle and pitch) and cross-sectional configurations and area, the bending and torsional inertia, the curvature of the boundary point and the (geometry of) loading condition were derived. Torsional and bending stresses and the resultant deformation were expressed mathematically as a function of these geometric parameters, modulus of elasticity of the material and the applied load. As illustrations, three brands of NiTi endodontic files of different cross-sectional configurations (ProTaper, Hero 642, and Mani NRT) were analysed under pure torsion and pure bending situation by entering the model into a finite-element analysis package (ANSYS). RESULTS: Numerical results confirmed that mathematical models were a feasible method to analyse the mechanical properties and predict the stress and deformation for root canal instruments during root canal preparation. CONCLUSIONS: Mathematical and numerical model can be a suitable way to examine mechanical behaviours as a criterion of the instrument design and to predict the stress and strain experienced by the endodontic instruments during root canal preparation.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of SLA titanium surfaces with further alkali or hydrogen peroxide and heat treatment.

The present study aimed to evaluate the bioactivity of titanium surfaces sandblasted with large-grit corundum and acid etched (SLA) plus further alkali or hydrogen peroxide and heat treatment for dental implant application. Pure titanium disks were mechanically polished as control surface (Ti-control) and then sandblasted with large-grit corundum and acid etched (SLA). Further chemical modifications were conducted using alkali and heat treatment (ASLA) and hydrogen peroxide and heat treatment (HSLA) alternatively. The surface properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and contact angle and roughness measurements. Further evaluation of surface bioactivity was conducted by MC3T3-E1 cell attachment, proliferation, morphology, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium deposition on the sample surfaces. After insertion in the beagle's mandibula for a specific period, cylindrical implant samples underwent micro-CT examination and then histological examination. It was found that ASLA and HSLA surfaces significantly increased the surface wettability and MC3T3-E1 cell attachment percentage, ALP activity and the quality of calcium deposition in comparison with simple SLA and Ti-control surfaces. Animal studies showed good osseointegration of ASLA and HSLA surfaces with host bone. In conclusion, ASLA and HSLA surfaces enhanced the bioactivity of the traditional SLA surface by integrating the advantages of surface topography, composition and wettability.

Biodegradable CaMgZn bulk metallic glass for potential skeletal application.

A low density and high strength alloy, Ca65Mg15Zn20 bulk metallic glass (CaMgZn BMG), was evaluated by both in vitro tests on ion release and cytotoxicity and in vivo implantation, aimed at exploring the feasibility of this new biodegradable metallic material for potential skeletal applications. MTT assay results showed that the experimental CaMgZn BMG extracts had no detectable cytotoxic effects on L929, VSMC and ECV304 cells over a wide range of concentrations (0-50%), whereas for MG63 cells concentrations in the range ~5-20% promoted cell viability. Meanwhile, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity results showed that CaMgZn BMG extracts increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production by MG63 cells. However, Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide staining indicated that higher concentrations (50%) might induce cell apoptosis. The fluorescence observation of F-actin and nuclei in MG63 cells showed that cells incubated with lower concentrations (0-50%) displayed no significant change in morphology compared with a negative control. Tumor necrosis factor-α expression by Raw264.7 cells in the presence of CaMgZn BMG extract was significantly lower than that of the positive and negative controls. Animal tests proved that there was no obvious inflammation reaction at the implantation site and CaMgZn BMG implants did not result in animal death. The cortical thickness around the CaMgZn BMG implant increased gradually from 1 to 4 weeks, as measured by in vivo micro-computer tomography.

Alkali-heat treatment of a low modulus biomedical Ti-27Nb alloy.

This study focuses on the surface modification of a near beta-type Ti-27 wt.% Nb alloy by alkali-heat treatment. The influence of alkali concentration, alkali-treated time and alkali-treated temperature on the microstructure and constitutional phases of the modified surface is investigated by SEM, XRD and ICP. Immersion experiments in a simulated body fluid (SBF) were carried out to examine the Ca-P phase forming ability of the modified surfaces. The SEM observation and XRD analysis revealed that a sodium titanate layer is formed after alkali-heat treatment. The morphology and Ca-P phase forming of the layer are greatly affected by the surface roughness of the samples, the alkali concentration, the alkali-treated time and alkali-treated temperature. The results of SBF immersion, which are obtained by ICP analysis, indicate that the activated sodium titanate layer prepared by alkali-heat treatment is beneficial to further improving the biocompatibility of the Ti-27 wt.% Nb alloy.