Enhanced root canal-centering ability and reduced screw-in force generation of reciprocating nickel-titanium instruments with a post-machining thermal treatment.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of a post-machining thermal treatment on canal-centering ability and torque/force generation of reciprocating nickel-titanium instruments. Simulated J-shaped resin canals were prepared with reciprocating instruments sharing identical geometric architecture and with/without post-machining thermal treatment (Reciproc Blue/Reciproc, VDW, Munich, Germany). Using an original automated root canal instrumentation and torque/force analyzing device, files were operated in a combination of reciprocation and up-and-down motion, and torque/force values were monitored. Canal-centering ratios were measured after superimposition of pre- and post-instrumentation images. Compared with Reciproc, Reciproc Blue showed a significantly lower canal-centering ratio (i.e., less deviation; p<0.05) at 0-1 mm from the apex and generated a significantly smaller upward maximum vertical force (p<0.05). Under standardized conditions using the automated device, Reciproc Blue showed better canal-centering ability and reduced screw-in forces than Reciproc, indicating that the post-machining thermal treatment confers superior performance to reciprocating nickel-titanium instruments.

Comparative analysis of mechanical properties of differently tapered nickeltitanium endodontic rotary instruments.

This study aimed to compare the mechanical properties of differently-tapered EndoWave nickel-titanium endodontic rotary instruments (size #30/0.04 taper and #30/0.06 taper; Group 0.04 and 0.06, respectively). Torsional and bending properties were evaluated with the cyclic fatigue test and the cantilever bending test, respectively. Canal transportation was assessed following instrumentation of curved canals in resin blocks. Torque and apical force during instrumentation were determined using an automated instrumentation and torque/force analyzing device. The number of cycles to fracture was Group 0.04>Group 0.06 (p<0.05). The bending load values were Group 0.06>Group 0.04 (p<0.05). Group 0.04 better maintained the original canal shape compared with Group 0.06. The median clockwise torque value was Group 0.06>Group 0.04 (p<0.05), whereas no significant differences were detected in the median counterclockwise torque and apical force values (p>0.05). Under the present experimental condition, 0.04- and 0.06-tapered EndoWave instruments exhibited different mechanical properties.

Dynamic Torsional and Cyclic Fracture Behavior of ProFile Rotary Instruments at Continuous or Reciprocating Rotation as Visualized with High-speed Digital Video Imaging.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the dynamic fracture behavior of nickel-titanium rotary instruments in torsional or cyclic loading at continuous or reciprocating rotation by means of high-speed digital video imaging. METHODS: The ProFile instruments (size 30, 0.06 taper; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) were categorized into 4 groups (n = 7 in each group) as follows: torsional/continuous (TC), torsional/reciprocating (TR), cyclic/continuous (CC), and cyclic/reciprocating (CR). Torsional loading was performed by rotating the instruments by holding the tip with a vise. For cyclic loading, a custom-made device with a 38° curvature was used. Dynamic fracture behavior was observed with a high-speed camera. The time to fracture was recorded, and the fractured surface was examined with scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The TC group initially exhibited necking of the file followed by the development of an initial crack line. The TR group demonstrated opening and closing of a crack according to its rotation in the cutting and noncutting directions, respectively. The CC group separated without any detectable signs of deformation. In the CR group, initial crack formation was recognized in 5 of 7 samples. The reciprocating rotation exhibited a longer time to fracture in both torsional and cyclic fatigue testing (P < .05). The scanning electron microscopic images showed a severely deformed surface in the TR group. CONCLUSIONS: The dynamic fracture behavior of NiTi rotary instruments, as visualized with high-speed digital video imaging, varied between the different modes of rotation and different fatigue testing. Reciprocating rotation induced a slower crack propagation and conferred higher fatigue resistance than continuous rotation in both torsional and cyclic loads.

Dynamic Torque and Vertical Force Analysis during Nickel-titanium Rotary Root Canal Preparation with Different Modes of Reciprocal Rotation.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the present study was to compare 2 modes of reciprocal movement (torque-sensitive and time-dependent reciprocal rotation) with continuous rotation in terms of torque and apical force generation during nickel-titanium rotary root canal instrumentation. METHODS: A custom-made automated root canal instrumentation and torque/force analyzing device was used to prepare simulated canals in resin blocks and monitor the torque and apical force generated in the blocks during preparation. Experimental groups (n = 7, each) consisted of (1) torque-sensitive reciprocal rotation with torque-sensitive vertical movement (group TqR), (2) time-dependent reciprocal rotation with time-dependent vertical movement (group TmR), and (3) continuous rotation with time-dependent vertical movement (group CR). The canals were instrumented with TF Adaptive SM1 and SM2 rotary files (SybronEndo, Orange, CA), and the torque and apical force were measured during instrumentation with SM2. The mean and maximum torque and apical force values were statistically analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The recordings showed intermittent increases of upward apical force and clockwise torque, indicating the generation and release of screw-in forces. The maximum upward apical force values in group TmR were significantly smaller than those in group CR (P < .05). The maximum torque values in clockwise and counterclockwise directions in groups TqR and TmR were significantly smaller than those in group CR (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Under the present experimental conditions using TF Adaptive instruments, both torque-sensitive and time-dependent reciprocal rotation generated significantly lower maximum torque and may have advantages in reducing stress generation caused by screw-in forces when compared with continuous rotation.

The influence of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of Ni-Ti file materials.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of Ni-Ti file materials. Ni-Ti wire (1.00 mm ø) was processed into a conical shape with 0.30-mm diameter tip and 0.06 taper. Specimens were heated for 30 min at 300, 400, 450, 500 or 600°C. Non-heated specimens were used as controls. DSC, a cantilever-bending test and cyclic fatigue test were performed. Ms and Af for groups 400 and 450 were higher than those for others (p<0.05). The load/deflection ratios of groups 400, 450 and 500 were lower than that of group 600 (p<0.05). The bending load values at 2.0-mm deflection of groups 400, 450 and 500 were lower than those of group 300 and the control group (p<0.05). The NCFs of groups 400, 450 and 500 exceeded that of group 600(p<0.05). Changes in flexibility with heat treatment could improve the cyclic fatigue properties of Ni-Ti instruments.

Correlation between cyclic fatigue and the bending properties of nickel titanium endodontic instruments.

The effects of cyclic fatigue on bending properties of NiTi endodontic instruments were investigated. Sixteen Profiles(®) were divided into two groups (A, and B). The sequence of cantilever bending test and cyclic fatigue test was alternated repeatedly until file separation occurred. In the cyclic fatigue test, the instrument curvature was 19° in group A and 38° in group B. Fractographic examination was performed to determine fracture patterns. In group A, there were significant differences between the bending load values measured before the cyclic fatigue test and the last cantilever bending test before instrument fracture at each deflection (p<0.05). Fractographic examination showed the specific patterns of cyclic fatigue fracture. The stress required to induce martensitic transformation might be reduced due to the softening behavior caused by the cyclic fatigue under the relaxation condition of the superelasticity range (group A). The SEM images were able to display specific patterns indicating cyclic fatigue fracture.