• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.31-35
• /
• 2013

Objectives: This study compared the cyclic fatigue resistance of nickel-titanium (NiTi) files obtained in a conventional test using a simulated canal with a newly developed method that allows the application of constant fatigue load conditions. Materials and Methods: ProFile and K3 files of #25/.06, #30/.06, and #40/.04 were selected. Two types of testing devices were built to test their fatigue performance. The first (conventional) device prescribed curvature inside a simulated canal (C-test), the second new device exerted a constant load (L-test) whilst allowing any resulting curvature. Ten new instruments of each size and brand were tested with each device. The files were rotated until fracture and the number of cycles to failure (NCF) was determined. The NCF were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Duncan's post-hoc test for each method. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was computed to examine any association between methods. Results: Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (${\rho}$ = -0.905) showed a significant negative correlation between methods. Groups with significant difference after the L-test divided into 4 clusters, whilst the C-test gave just 2 clusters. From the L-test, considering the negative correlation of NCF, K3 gave a significantly lower fatigue resistance than ProFile as in the C-test. K3 #30/.06 showed a lower fatigue resistance than K3 #25/.06, which was not found by the C-test. Variation in fatigue test methodology resulted in different cyclic fatigue resistance rankings for various NiTi files. Conclusions: The new methodology standardized the load during fatigue testing, allowing determination fatigue behavior under constant load conditions.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.88-95
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare the root canal shaping ability of 4 rotary NiTi instruments in simulated root canals. For the preparation of thirty two curved root canals, Mtwo instruments using "single length"technique, and Profile, ProTaper Universal, and K3 using crown-down technique (N = 8) were used. All canal samples were prepared by reaching an apical canal size of #30. Pre- and post-instrumentation digital images were recorded and an assessment of canal shape was determined using a computer image analysis program SigmaScan Pro (Systat Software Inc., San Jose, CA, USA). The changes of the dimension of inner walls of canals, (2) the changes of the dimension of outer walls of canals, and (3) the centering ratio were measured at 7 measuring points, and then data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan's test. The results were as below; 1. The root canal shaping ability of Profile was significantly faster than that of other rotary NiTi instruments (p < 0.05). 2. The deformation and fracture of all instruments used for this study were not experienced. 3. In the degree of changes of the dimension of inner walls of canals, Profile demonstrated the lowest changes of the dimension of inner walls of canals except at the measuring points of the 1 and 2 mm (p < 0.05). However, the ProTaper Universal showed the highest changes of the dimension of inner walls of canals at all measuring points (p < 0.05). 4. In the degree of changes of the dimension of outer walls of canals, Mtwo demonstrated the lowest changse of the dimension of outer walls of canals except at the measuring point of the 1 mm (p < 0.05). However, Profile exhibited the highest changes of the dimension of outer walls of canals at the measuring points of 3 and 4 mm and ProTaper Universal and K3 showed the largest changes of the dimension of outer walls of canals at the measuring points of 1, 2, 6, and 7 mm (p < 0.05). 5. In degree of centering ratio, Profile demonstrated the least centering ratio comparing with the centering ratio shown by other NiTi instruments at the measuring points of 1, 4, 5, and 6 mm. Results suggest that in the coronal part of canal preparation, active cutting files such as ProTaper Universal may efficiently flare the canal orifice and form a better taper, and in the apical part of the canal, files which have a better centering ability such as Profile may maintain the original canal curvature and reduce the shaping time.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.659-669
• /
• 1997

The goals of root canal instrumentation are complete debridement of pulp tissue, removal of microbes and affected dentin, and proper cleaning and shaping of the root canal space before obturation. Instrumentation with stainless steel files has been shown to produce undesirable results in canals, regardless of the improved technique or modified file type used. Nickel-Titanium(Ni-Ti) alloy has been shown to be exceptionally elastic, having a lower bending moment and lower permanent set after torsion, compared with similar gauge stainless steel. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of root canal prepared by Ni-Ti rotary and stainless steel instruments. Thirty-four single rooted teeth of similar shape and canal size were divided into three groups. The teeth were scanned by computed tomography before instrumentation. In group 1, canals were instrumented using a step-back technique with K-file. In group 2, canals were prepared with K-flex file using the same technique as group 1. Group 3 was prepared with nickel-titanium(Ni-Ti) rotary instrument using a manufacture's instruction. Instrumented teeth were again scanned using computed tomography, and reformated images of the uninstrumented canals were compared with images of the instrumented canals. K-flex file and Ni-Ti file caused significantly less canal transportation than K-file in the 8mm root canal section from the apex(p<0.05). K-flex file and Ni-Ti file produced more centered canal preparation than K-file in the 2mm section(p<0.05). Ni-Ti file maintained more precisely the center of the canal than K-flex file in the 10mm section (p<0.05). There was no difference in the removed volume of canals among each groups.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.244-253
• /
• 1997

During preparation of narrow curved canals, procedural accidents such as, ledge, zipping, and transportation are frequently encountered and may lead to failure of endodontic therapy. To reduce these procedural errors and efficiently manage curved canals, various modifications in instrumentation technique and the design and flexibility of instruments have been advocated. This study compared the maintenance of the original canal curvature, cross sectional canal shape, and preparation time during instrumentation with stainless steel hand (K-Flexo) file, and nickel-titanium rotary files (Profile and Lightspeed). Thirty resin blocks with simulated curved canals of 20~25 degrees were used and divided into three groups of 10 each. In group 1, canals were instrumented using a quarter turn/pull technique with K-Flexofiles. Group 2 canals were prepared with rotary NiTi Profiles. Group 3 was prepared with rotary NiTi Lightspeed instrument. Before and after instrumentation, all canals were scanned using stereo microcope, FlexCam camera, and Photoshop 3.0 computer program. The results were as follows : 1. All groups showed some loss of canal curvature after instrumentation. Average loss of canal curvature was 8.6 degrees for K-Flexofile, 7.7 degrees for Profile, and 5.8 degrees for Lightspeed. Lightspeed exhibited significantly less curvature loss than K-Flexofile (p<0.05). 2. At the apical 1-mm level, Profile produced significantly rounder canals than Lightspeed (p<0.05). At the 3-mm level, Profile and Lightspeed exhibited significantly rounder canals than K-Flexofile (p<0.05). 3. Preparation with Lightspeed was significantly faster than Profile and K-Flexofile, and Profile was faster than K-Flexofile (p<0.05). 4. There was no significant difference in incidence of zipping between the hand K-Flexofile and rotary NiTi (Profile and Lightspeed) instruments. Most of apical canals were slightly widened near the apical foramen. As a results of this study, rotary NiTi instruments are superior to the K-Flexofile in regard to the maintenance of original canal curvature, cross-sectional shape and preparation time. But more investigations and studies should be needed to evaluate the ideal canal instrumentation.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.59-65
• /
• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare the apical transportation and working length change in curved root canals created in resin blocks, using 3 geometrically different types of Ni-Ti files, K3, NRT, and Profile. Materials and Methods: The curvature of 30 resin blocks was measured by Schneider technique and each groups of Ni-Ti files were allocated with 10 resin blocks at random. The canals were shaped with Ni-Ti files by Crown-down technique. It was analyzed by Double radiograph superimposition method (Backman CA 1992), and for the accuracy and consistency, specially designed jig, digital X-ray, and CAD/CAM software for measurement of apical transportation were used. The amount of apical transportation was measured at 0, 1, 3, 5 mm from 'apical foramen - 0.5 mm' area, and the alteration of the working length before and after canal shaping was also measured. For statistics, Kruskal-Wallis One Way Analysis was used. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in the amount of working length change and apical transportation at 0, 1, and 3 mm area (p = 0.027), however, the amount of apical transportation at 5 mm area showed significant difference between K3 and Profile system (p = 0.924). Conclusions: As a result of this study, the 3 geometrically different Ni-Ti files showed no significant difference in apical transportation and working length change and maintained the original root canal shape.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.176-181
• /
• 2016

Objectives: This study aimed to compare two nickel-titanium systems (rotary vs. reciprocating) for their acceptance by undergraduate students who experienced nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments for the first time. Materials and Methods: Eighty-one sophomore dental students were first taught on manual root canal preparation with stainless-steel files. After that, they were instructed on the use of ProTaper Universal system (PTU, Dentsply Maillefer), then the WaveOne (WO, Dentsply Maillefer). They practiced with each system on 2 extracted molars, before using those files to shape the buccal or mesial canals of additional first molars. A questionnaire was completed after using each file system, seeking students' perception about 'Ease of use', 'Flexibility', 'Cutting-efficiency', 'Screwing-effect', 'Feeling-safety', and 'Instrumentation-time' of the NiTi files, relative to stainless-steel instrumentation, on a 5-point Likert-type scale. They were also requested to indicate their preference between the two systems. Data was compared between groups using t-test, and with Chi-square test for correlation of each perception value with the preferred choice (p = 0.05). Results: Among the 81 students, 55 indicated their preferred file system as WO and 22 as PTU. All scores were greater than 4 (better) for both systems, compared with stainless-steel files, except for 'Screwing-effect' for PTU. The scores for WO in the categories of 'Flexibility', 'Screwing-effect', and 'Feeling-safety' were significantly higher scores than those of PTU. A significant association between the 'Screwing-effect' and students' preference for WO was observed. Conclusions: Novice operators preferred nickel-titanium instruments to stainless-steel, and majority of them opted for reciprocating file instead of continuous rotating system.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.44.1-44.11
• /
• 2019

Objectives: To compare the flexural cyclic fatigue resistance and the length of the fractured segments (FLs) of recently introduced M-Pro rotary files with that of RaCe rotary files in curved canals and to evaluate the fracture surface by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Materials and Methods: Thirty-six endodontic files with the same tip size and taper (size 25, 0.06 taper) were used. The samples were classified into 2 groups (n = 18): the M-Pro group (M-Pro IMD) and the RaCe group (FKG). A custom-made simulated canal model was fabricated to evaluate the total number of cycles to failure and the FL. SEM was used to examine the fracture surfaces of the fragmented segments. The data were statistically analyzed and comparisons between the 2 groups for normally distributed numerical variables were carried out using the independent Student's t-test. A p value less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: The M-Pro group showed significantly higher resistance to flexural cyclic fatigue than the RaCe group (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the FLs between the 2 groups (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusions: Thermal treatment of nickel-titanium instruments can improve the flexural cyclic fatigue resistance of rotary endodontic files, and the M-Pro rotary system seems to be a promising rotary endodontic file.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.25.1-25.10
• /
• 2018

Objectives: To evaluate the mechanical properties and metallurgical characteristics of the M3 Rotary and M3 Pro Gold files (United Dental). Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty new M3 Rotary and M3 Pro Gold files (sizes 20/0.04 and 25/0.04) were used. Torque and angle of rotation at failure (n = 20) were measured according to ISO 3630-1. Cyclic fatigue resistance was tested by measuring the number of cycles to failure in an artificial stainless steel canal ($60^{\circ}$ angle of curvature and a 5-mm radius). The metallurgical characteristics were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and the Student-Newman-Keuls test. Results: Comparing the same size of the 2 different instruments, cyclic fatigue resistance was significantly higher in the M3 Pro Gold files than in the M3 Rotary files (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between the files in the maximum torque load, while a significantly higher angular rotation to fracture was observed for M3 Pro Gold (p < 0.05). In the DSC analysis, the M3 Pro Gold files showed one prominent peak on the heating curve and 2 prominent peaks on the cooling curve. In contrast, the M3 Rotary files showed 1 small peak on the heating curve and 1 small peak on the cooling curve. Conclusions: The M3 Pro Gold files showed greater flexibility and angular rotation than the M3 Rotary files, without decrement of their torque resistance. The superior flexibility of M3 Pro Gold files can be attributed to their martensite phase.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.38-48
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the shaping ability of the three different Ni-Ti file systems used by undergraduate students. Fifty undergraduate students prepared 150 simulated curved root canals in resin blocks with three Ni-Ti file systems - $ProFile^{(R)}$ (PF), Manual $ProTaper^{(R)}$ (MPT), Rotary $ProTaper^{(R)}$ (RPT). Every student prepared 3 simulated root canals with each system respectively. After root canal preparation, the Ni-Ti files were evaluated for distortion or breakage Assessments were made according to the presence of various types of canal aberrations. The pre- and post-instrumented canal images were attained and superimposed. The instrumented root canal width were measured and calculated for the net transportation (deviation) and the centering ratio. Under the condition of this study, both $ProTaper^{(R)}$ systems allowed significantly more removal of root canal wall than the $ProFile^{(R)}$ system. In the important other aspects such as the centering ratio, there was no significant differences between the systems. Novice dental students were able to prepare curved root canals with any kinds of Ni-Ti file systems with little aberration and great conservation of tooth structure. Students want to learn effective methods and at the same time simple rotary procedures. The rotary $ProTaper^{(R)}$ systems were one of the most compatible to these students from the point of view of cutting ability The $ProFile^{(R)}$ system was also compatible in safe and gentle shaping.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
• /
• v.57 no.11
• /
• pp.672-678
• /
• 2019

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the torsional fracture resistances, cyclic fatigue resistance, and bending stiffness of two nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments made of different heat-treated alloy: Aurum Blue (heat-treated) and Aurum Pro (conventional). Methods: Forty-five Aurum Blue and Aurum Pro NiTi files were selected for the three mechanical tests (n=15). For the torsional resistance test, 3 mm file tip was fixed and the shaft was driven clockwise at 2 rpm until fracture occurred by using a customized device. Cyclic fatigue resistance was evaluated by rotating instruments in artificial canal with dynamic mode. Bending stiffness was tested by observation of the bending moment on attaining a 45° bend. The results were analyzed by student-t tests at a significance level of 95%. The fractured surface of each groups were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results: Aurum Blue showed significantly higher toughness, ultimate strength, distortion angle, and number of cycles to failure than those of Aurum Pro (p < 0.05). However, Aurum Blue and Aurum Pro did not differ significantly in terms of bending stiffness. SEM showed typical topographic appearances of the cyclic fatigue and torsional fracture. Conclusions: Under the limitations of this study, heat-treated instruments showed higher flexibility and fracture resistances than conventional NiTi instruments.