• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.424-429
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• 2009

This study aimed to assess the influence of different cross-sectional area on the cyclic fatigue fracture of Ni-Ti rotary files using a fatigue tester incorporating cyclical axial movement. Six brands of Ni-Ti rotary files (ISO 30 size with. 04 taper) of 10 each were tested: Alpha system (KOMET), HeroShaper (MicroMega), K3 (SybronEndo), Mtwo (VDW), NRT (Mani), and ProFile (Dentsply). A fatigue-tester (Denbotix) was designed to allow cyclic tension and compressive stress on the tip of the instrument. Each file was mounted on a torque controlled motor (Aseptico) using a 1:20 reduction contra-angle and was rotated at 300 rpm with a continuous, 6 mm axial oscillating motion inside an artificial steel canal. The canal had a $60^{\circ}$ angle and a 5 mm radius of curvature. Instrument fracture was visually detected and the time until fracture was recorded by a digital stop watch. The data were analyzed statistically. Fractographic analysis of all fractured surfaces was performed to determine the fracture modes using a scanning electron microscope. Cross-sectional area at 3 mm from the tip of 3 unused Ni-Ti instruments for each group was calculated using Image-Pro Plus (Imagej 1.34n, NIH). Results showed that NRT and ProFile had significantly longer time to fracture compared to the other groups (p < .05). The cross-sectional area was not significantly associated with fatigue resistance. Fractographycally, all fractured surfaces demonstrated a combination of ductile and brittle fracture. In conclusion, there was no significant relationship between fatigue resistance and the cross-sectional area of Ni-Ti instruments under experimental conditions.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 2010

Screw-in effect is one of the unintended phenomena that occurs during the root canal preparation with nickel-titanium rotary files. The aim of this study was to compare the screw-in effect among various nickel-titanium rotary file systems. Six different nickel-titanium rotary instruments (ISO 20/.06 taper) were used: $K3^{TM}$ (SybronEndo, Glendora, CA, USA), $M_{two}$ (VDW GmbH, Munchen, Germany), NRT with safe-tip and with active tip (Mani Inc., Shioya-gun, Japan), ProFile$^{(R)}$ (Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and ProTaper$^{(R)}$ (Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). For ProTaper$^{(R)}$, S2 was selected because it has size 20. Root canal instrumentations were done in sixty simulated single-curved resin root canals with a rotational speed of 300 rpm and single pecking motion. A special device was designed to measure the force of screw-in effect. A dynamometer of the device recorded the screw-in force during simulated canal preparation and the recorded data was stored in a computer with designed software (LCV-USE-VS, Lorenz Messtechnik GmbH, Alfdorf, Germany). The data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple range test for post-hoc test. P value of less than 0.05 was regarded significant. ProTaper$^{(R)}$ produced significantly more screw-in effects than any other instruments in the study (p < 0.001). $K3^{TM}$ produced significantly more screw-in effects than $M_{two}$, and ProFile$^{(R)}$ (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference among $M_{two}$, NRT, and ProFile$^{(R)}$ (p > 0.05), and between NRT with active tip and NRT with safe one neither (p > 0.05). From the result of the present study, it was concluded, therefore, that there seems significant differences of screw-in effect among the tested nickel-titanium rotary instruments. The radial lands and rake angle of nickel-titanium rotary instrument might be the cause of the difference.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.232-239
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of anti curvature filing with stainless steel k-file versus nickel-titanium ProFile in the shaping of mesial root canals of extracted mandibular molars. A total of 60 canals from 30 mesial roots of mandibular molar teeth were randomly assigned to three groups with n=20 each. They were prepared with different instruments and methods: The first group with stainless steel k-file and circumferential filing. the second with precurved stainless steel k-file and anticurvature filing and the third with ProFile C06 taper) and anticurvature filing. Using a micro-computed tomography system (skyscan-1076, SKYSCAN, Antwerpen, Belgium), pre-and post-operative specimens were scanned. Subsequently, canal images were superimposed and changes in root dentin thickness were measured at distal side (danger zone) of the canal. The data was analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and the comparison of means was conducted using a post hoc multiple comparison Tukey test. There were significant differences in the change of root dentin thickness at the $7.5{\sim}8.5\;mm$ level between group 1 and 2, $3.5{\sim}6mm$ level between group 1 and 3 and $3.5{\sim}6mm$ level between group 2 and 3(n=20, P<0.05).

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.374-379
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• 2010

Objectives: Nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) rotary instruments have some unexpected disadvantages including the tendency to screw-in to the canal. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of root canal curvatures on the screw-in effect of Ni-Ti rotary files. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 simulated root canals in clear resin blocks were used in the study. Canals with curvature of 0, 10, 20 and 30 degrees were instrumented with ProTaper instruments SX, S1, S2 and a ProFile of #25/0.06 to 1.0-2.0 mm beyond the initial point of root curvature. The screw-in force was measured with a specially designed device while canal was instrumented with a ProFile of #30/0.06 at a constant speed of 300 rpm. The data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Scheffe multiple range test for post-hoc test. Results: Larger degree of canal curvature generated significantly lesser screw-in forces in all groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: More attention needs to be paid when using rotary instruments in canals with less curvature than canals with more curvatures to prevent or reduce any accidental overinstrumentation.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.130-137
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• 2007

This in vitro study examined the effect of surface defects on cutting blades on the extent of the cyclic fatigue fracture of HEROShaper Ni-Ti rotary files using fractographic analysis of the fractured surfaces. A total of 45 HEROShaper (MicroMega) Ni-Ti rotary flies with a #30/.04 taper were divided into three groups of 15 each. Group 1 contained new HEROShapers without any surface defects. Group 2 contained HEROShapers with manufacturing defects such as metal rollover and machining marks. Croup 3 contained HEROShapers that had been clinically used for the canal preparation of 4-6 molars A fatigue-testing device was designed to allow cyclic tension and compressive stress on the tip of the instrument whilst maintaining similar conditions to those experienced in a clinic. The level of fatigue fracture time was measured using a computer connected the system. Statistical analysis was performed using a Tukey's test. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for fractographic analysis of the fractured surfaces. The fatigue fracture time between groups 1 and 2, and between groups 1 and 3 was significantly different (p<0.05) but there was no significant difference between groups 2 and 3 (p>0.05). A low magnification SEM views show brittle fracture as the main initial failure mode At higher magnification, the brittle fracture region showed clusters of fatigue striations and a large number of secondary cracks. These fractures typically led to a central region of catastrophic ductile failure. Qualitatively, the ductile fracture region was characterized by the formation of microvoids and dimpling. The fractured surfaces of the HEROShapers in groups 2 and 3 were always associated with pre-existing surface defects. Typically, the fractured surface in the brittle fracture region showed evidence of cleavage (transgranular) facets across the grains, as well as intergranular facets along the grain boundaries. These results show that surface defects on cutting blades of Ni-Ti rotary files might be the preferred sites for the origin of fatigue fracture under experimental conditions. Furthermore this work demonstrates the utility of fractography in evaluating the failure of Ni-Ti rotary flies.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.640-650
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• 2016

Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments have brought a big step toward "efficient" practice of endodontic procedure. The rotary files help clinicians to reduce their working time and also increase the clinical success rate with minimal procedural errors. However, NiTi instruments still have a few drawbacks including unpredictable fatigue fracture. Clinicians may reduce the potential risk of instruments fracture by following some clinical guidelines for rotary instruments. In some clinical cases of instruments fracture, we may try to remove the instruments' fragments or bypass the fragment to reach the apical canal. In some limited cases, the fractured instruments' fragments would not jeopardize the clinical prognosis of root canal treatment. Nevertheless, it is impossible to be overemphasized that the prevention of file fracture is much easier than the removal of fracture fragment. Clinicians need to understand the fracture mechanisms and, in clinic, need to discard the used instruments timely.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.60-68
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• 2014

Nickel-Titanium(NiTi) rotary instruments have brought a big step toward "efficient" practice of endodontic procedure. The rotary files help clinicians to reduce their working time and also increase the clinical success rate with minimal procedural errors by stainless steel instruments. In spite of these advantages, NiTi instruments still have a few drawbacks including unpredictable fatigue fracture. Clinicians may reduce the potential risk of instruments fracture by following some clinical guidelines for rotary instruments. In some clinical cases of instruments fracture, we may try to remove the instruments' fragments or bypass the fragment to reach the apical canal. In some limited cases, the fractured instruments' fragments would not jeopardize the clinical prognosis of root canal treatment. However, it is impossible to be overemphasized that the fragment removal is more difficult than the prevention of fracture. Clinicians need to understand the fracture mechanisms and, in clinic, need to discard the used instruments timely.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.380-386
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• 2010

Objectives: The introduction of nickel-titanium alloy endodontic instruments has greatly simplified shaping the root canal systems. However, these new instruments have several unexpected disadvantages. One of these is tendency to screw into the canal. In this study, the influence of taper on the screw-in effect of the Ni-Ti rotary instrument were evaluated. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 simulated root canals with an S-shaped curvature in clear resin blocks were divided into two groups. ProFile .02, .04, .06 (Dentsply-Maillefer) and GT rotary files .08, .10, .12 (Dentsply) were used in Profile group, and K3 .04, .06, .08, .10, and .12 (SybronEndo, Glendora) were used in K3 group. Files were used with a single pecking motion at a constant speed of 300 rpm. A special device was made to measure the force of screw-in effect. A dynamometer of the device recorded the screwin force during simulated canal preparation and the recorded data was stored in computer with designed software. The data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple range test for post-hoc test. p value of less than 0.05 was regarded significant. Results: The more tapered instruments generated more screw-in forces in Profile group (p < 0.05). In K3 group, 0.08, 0.10. and 0.12 tapered instruments showed more screw-in force than 0.04 tapered one, and 0.08 and 0.12 tapered instruments showed more screw-in force than 0.06 tapered one (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The more tapered instruments seems to produce more screw-in force. To avoid this screw-in force during instrumentation, more attention may be needed when using more tapered instruments.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.577-586
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• 2002

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the effects of root canal cleanness following two Ni-Ti rotary instruments with different rake angle. Thirty-six sound, extracted human premolars with single root were randomly divided into three groups. The used rotary instruments were HEROShaper (Group 1, Micro-Mega, Besancon, France, n=12) and ProFile (Group 2, Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland, n=12). Control group (n=12) was only extirpated with barbed broach (Mani, Matsutani Seisakusho Co., Japan) Group 1 & 2 teeth were prepared to a #40/.04 taper at the apex followed by 1 mm using crown-down technique. After canal preparation and frequent irrigation with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, the roots split longitudinally into a bucco-lingual direction. Root halves were cross-sectioned in apical third portion again. All root specimens were processed for SEM investigation and photographed. Separate evaluations by one endodontist were undertaken for smear layer on prepared walls with a five score-index for each using reference photograph in root halves. The penetration depth of smear layer into dentinal tubules was also estimated in the other halves. Following results were obtained: 1. Smear layer was observed on all the prepared walls with two experimental groups except control group. 2. Smear layer characteristics in two experimental groups; 1) HEROShaper group showed snowy, dusty appearance and were shown open dentinal tubuli on the prepared walls of almost specimens, and the thickness of smear layer covering onto dentinal surfaces was within 1-2 ${\mu}m$ in a few specimens. 2) ProFile group showed shiny, burnished appearance and complete root canal wall covered by a homogenous smear layer with no open dentinal tubuli in all specimens. The penetration of smear layer into dentinal tubules was found in all specimens and the thickness was at 2-4 ${\mu}m$ in all specimens. These results demonstrated that a completely clean root canal could not be achieved regardless of positive or negative rake angle, which is in accordance with the majority of previous studies on root canal cleanliness In conclusion, through irrigation with antibacterial solutions or chelating agents is recommended to remove the smear layer on prepared canal wall in spite of Ni-Ti instrumentation.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2006

To evaluate the change of working length with various instrumentation techniques in curved canals, working length and canal curvature were determined before and after canal instrumentation in buccal or mesial canals of extracted human molars. Stainless steel K-files ($MANI^{(R)}$, Matsutani Seisakusho Co. Takanezawa, Japan), nickel-titanium K-files (Naviflex $NT^{TM}$, Brassier, Savannah, USA) , $ProFile^{(R)}$, and ProTaper (Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) were used to prepare the canals with crown-down technique. In two hand instrumentation groups coronal flaring was made with Gates Glidden burs. Apical canals were instrumented until apical diameter had attained a size of 30. Positional relation between the tooth apex and the $\#10$ K-file tip was examined by using AutoCAD 2000 (Autodesk Corp., San Rafael. CA, USA) under a stereomicroscope before and after coronal flaring, and after apical instrumentation. Degree of canal curvature was also measured with Schneider's method in radiographs. Data of working length and canal curvature changes were statistically analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's studentized range test. Working length and canal curvature were decreased significantly in each step in all instrumentation groups. Coronal flaring using Cates Glidden burs in hand instrument groups and whole canal instrumentation using stainless steel hand K-files caused significantly more working length change than in ProFile instrumentation group (p<0.05). The result of this study demonstrates that all of the above kinds of instrumentation in curved canals cause reduction of working length and canal curvature at each instrumentation steps, and hand instrumentation causes more working length change than ProFile.