Design, metallurgical features, mechanical performance and canal preparation of six reciprocating instruments.

AIM: To compare six reciprocating instruments regarding their geometric design, metallurgical characteristics, mechanical behaviour and ability to prepare root canals. METHODOLOGY: A total of 246 new 25-mm NiTi instruments (41 per group) from six reciprocating systems (Reciproc, Reciproc Blue, One Files, One Files Blue, Reverso Silver, and WaveOne Gold) were evaluated throughout a multimethod approach regarding their design using stereomicroscopy (number of blades and helix angle) and scanning electron microscopy (blades symmetry, cross section and surface finishing), nickel-titanium composition, phase transformation temperatures, mechanical performance (cyclic fatigue, torsional and bending resistance) and unprepared canal surface area on anatomically matched mandibular molars assessed by micro-CT. One-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's or Mood's median tests were selected depending on sample distribution with significance level set at 5%. RESULTS: The instruments had similarities regarding their metal composition and unprepared canal area, whilst differences in phase transformation temperatures and geometric design (number of blades, surface finishing and tip geometry) were observed. Overall, no difference was observed regarding the maximum torque values (P > 0.05), whilst One Files (72 s) and One Files Blue (414 s) had the shortest and longest times to fracture, respectively (P < 0.05). Similar angles of rotation were observed in Reciproc (310°), One Files (285°) and Reverso Silver (318°) instruments (P > 0.05), which were significantly lower than Reciproc Blue (492°), One Files Blue (456°) and WaveOne Gold (492°; P < 0.05). Maximum bending load demonstrated that Reciproc Blue (201.3 gf) was significantly more flexible that the other instruments (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although there were similarities in metal composition and percentage of unprepared canal surface, the instruments had differences in the overall geometric design, phase transformation temperatures and in the four mechanical resistance parameters (time to fracture, maximum torque, angle of rotation and maximum bending load).

Effect of access cavity design on gaps and void formation in resin composite restorations following root canal treatment on extracted teeth.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of ultraconservative endodontic access cavities (UEC) on gaps and void formation in resin composite restorations in extracted two-rooted maxillary premolars after root canal treatment. Traditional endodontic access cavities (TEC) were used as a reference for comparison. METHODOLOGY: Two-rooted maxillary premolars were scanned in a micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) device, matched based on similar anatomical features and allocated into two groups (n = 10) according to the design of the access cavity: TEC or UEC. Teeth were mounted on a mannequin head and a single operator performed the treatment, including endodontic access cavity preparation, root canal detection, preparation, filling and restoration procedures, under magnification. For restorative procedure, a bulk fill flowable layer was applied initially followed by an overlaying of regular composite. After restoration procedures, a new micro-CT scan was performed to check the quality of the coronal restoration by analysing the percentage volume of empty spaces present in the tooth-restoration interface (gaps) and inside the restoration (voids). Data were analysed statistically using Shapiro-Wilk and Student's t tests with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: All specimens had gaps and voids. There were significant differences between the access cavity designs regarding the formation of voids with significantly more voids associated with the UEC (P < 0.05). Gap formation did not differ between groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The access cavity design used during root canal treatment interfered with the adaptation of the restorative material. The minimally invasive access cavity design was associated with a significantly greater number of voids within restorations.

Influence of heat treatment on torsional resistance and surface roughness of nickel-titanium instruments.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of controlled memory (CM) thermal treatment on the torsional resistance and surface roughness of nickel-titanium instruments with identical geometric and dimensional characteristics. The influence of environmental temperature on torsional resistance was also evaluated. METHODOLOGY: A sample of 25 conventional NiTi alloy and 25 CM thermal-treated NiTi instruments, with an identical geometric design and a nominal size of 0.25 mm at D0 and a nominal taper of .06 mm mm-1 were selected. The torsional strength and the angle of rotation of the instruments were tested following ISO 3630-1 at two temperatures: 21 and 35 °C. The fracture surfaces of all tested instruments were verified with a scanning electron microscope. The surface roughness of the blades of conventional NiTi alloy and CM wire files was evaluated by using a New View 7100 Profilometer. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test and paired t-test to analyse the torsional resistance and surface roughness at a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: The torsional strength of thermally-treated instruments was significantly lower than nontreated instruments (P < 0.05). However, thermally-treated instruments had significantly greater angular rotation to fracture than nontreated instruments (P < 0.05). Temperature did not influence the torsional strength (P > 0.05) and the angular rotation (P > 0.05) of the instruments. Regarding the roughness measurements, groove depth was lower at the surface of thermally-treated instruments when compared to nontreated instruments (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Thermal treatment influenced the torsional resistance and surface roughness of NiTi instruments with identical geometric and dimensional characteristics. Temperature did not affect torsional behaviour.

Torsional fatigue resistance of R-Pilot and WaveOne Gold Glider NiTi glide path reciprocating systems.

AIM: To evaluate the torsional properties of the NiTi glide path reciprocating instruments R-Pilot (VDW, Munich, Germany) and WaveOne Gold Glider (Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland). METHODOLOGY: Ten R-Pilot (size 12.5, .04 taper) and 10 WaveOne Gold Glider (size 15, .02v taper) instruments were used. The torque and angle of rotation at failure of new instruments (n = 10) were measured according to ISO 3630-1. Three millimetres of each instrument tip was clamped to a small load cell by a lever arm linked to the torsion axis. The fracture surface of all fragments was examined with a scanning electron microscope. Data were analysed using the Student t-test at a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: The maximum torsional strength of the R-Pilot instruments was greater than the WaveOne Gold Glider (P < 0.05). In contrast, WaveOne Gold Glider instruments had significantly higher angular rotation to fracture than R-Pilot instruments (P < 0.05). The scanning electron microscopy of the fracture surfaces revealed similar and typical features of torsional failure (ductile type) for both brands. The torsional failure displayed two zones: the first with microvoids in the centre of the instruments (core) and the second one represented by plastic deformation around the microvoids; this configuration occurred because of the shear stresses originated during the twisting. CONCLUSIONS: R-Pilot instruments had a lower angle of rotation to fracture but a higher torque to failure than WaveOne Gold Glider instruments.

Mechanical characteristics of counterfeit Reciproc instruments: a call for attention.

AIM: To report the main differences seen by direct visual inspection between original and counterfeit Reciproc instruments, together with an evaluation of instrument bending resistance, cyclic fatigue, surface finish, Vickers microhardness and chemical composition. METHODOLOGY: The visual aspects of original Reciproc R25 (VDW, Munich, Germany) and counterfeit Reciproc R25 instruments (claimed to be original, supposedly with dimensions similar to those of Reciproc R25 files, bought at www.mercadolivre.com.br) were evaluated under direct observation, stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscope. The flexibility of original and counterfeit Reciproc R25 was determined via 45° bending tests according to the ISO 3630-1 specification. Instruments were also subjected to cyclic fatigue resistance, measuring the time to fracture in an artificial stainless steel canal with a 60° angle and 5-mm radius of curvature. The fracture surfaces of all fragments were examined under a scanning electron microscope. Roughness of the instruments was quantified using a profilometer, and the microhardness test was carried out using a Vickers hardness tester. Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) was also carried out. Results were analysed statistically using the Student's t-test at a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: Although the packaging of the original and counterfeit instruments was similar, a number of differences were observed such as ISO colour coding, measurement marks, stopper and morphologic characteristics. Original Reciproc instruments had significantly longer cyclic fatigue life and significantly lower bending resistance than counterfeit Reciproc instruments (P < 0.05), as well as significantly lower microhardness and roughness (P < 0.05). EDX results revealed differences in the chemical composition of the instruments (P < 0.05), indicating that the instruments were manufactured with different raw material. CONCLUSION: Original Reciproc files outperformed counterfeit instruments in all tests. It is thus important that identification strategies for these counterfeit instruments be developed, thereby preventing their inadvertent use.

Sealing ability of two root-end filling materials in a bacterial nutrient leakage model.

AIM: To compare in vitro the sealing ability of root-end fillings with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and EndoSequence BioCeramic Root Repair Material-Fast Set (BC-RRM) Putty using a novel bacterial nutrient leakage model, which provides information on whether or not intracanal bacteria are receiving nutrients from serum via leakage channels. METHODOLOGY: Sixty single-rooted decoronated mandibular incisors with instrumented root canals were subjected to root-end resection and ultrasonic preparation. The root specimens were mounted in the experimental apparatus, and the root-end cavities filled with the test materials. The positive control group used warm Gutta-percha and no sealer. In the negative controls, the entire resected surface was covered with varnish. After sterilization in ethylene oxide, the root canal was inoculated with 1.5 × 10(5) washed cells of Enterococcus faecalis. The apparatus was filled with foetal bovine serum, leaving only the apical root immersed. After 30-day incubation, samples were taken from the canal, cultured and the colony-forming units (CFUs) counted. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney test for quantitative and the Fisher exact test for qualitative data. RESULTS: In the MTA group, 10 of 20 (50%) specimens still had detectable viable bacteria in the canals (mean, 8.97 × 10(3)  CFUs). In the BC-RRM Putty group, 5 of 18 (28%) specimens were positive for bacterial growth (mean, 2.88 × 10(4)  CFUs). There was no significant difference when comparing the quantitative or presence/absence data from the MTA and BC-RRM Putty groups. Positive and negative controls yielded the expected results. CONCLUSIONS: MTA and BC-RRM Putty had similar sealing ability. The experimental model was effective in determining whether or not residual intracanal bacteria could survive by receiving nutrients from outside.