Influence of rotational speed and glide path on cyclic fatigue resistance of XP-endo shaper

Assessment of the Cyclic Fatigue Performance of the Novel Protaper Ultimate File System Used in Different Kinematics: An In Vitro Study

This in vitro study aims to assess the cyclic fatigue resistance of the Protaper Ultimate (PTU) files compared to the Protaper Gold (PTG) and the M3 UDG (M3) files using various motion kinematics in simulated canals. As far as the authors are aware, no study has previously compared the three file systems before this current investigation. Therefore, closing this information gap is the goal of the current research. Methods: A total of (60 new endodontic files were randomly divided into 6 groups (10 files per group); groups 1, 3, and 5 used continuous rotation (CR), while groups 2, 4, and 6 used forward reciprocating motion (FRM). A manufactured stainless-steel artificial canal was used to perform the cyclic fatigue testing. The results were analyzed using Student's t-test and two-way ANOVA. All pairwise comparisons revealed statistically significant differences in the time to failure (TTF) for every study group (p < 0.001), with the exception of the PTG and M3 files, which performed similarly using both CR and FRM. Conclusions: The PTU files performed better than the PTG and M3 files in terms of the TTF and number of cycles to failure (NCF) using both CR and FRM.

Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of Nickel–Titanium Rotary Instruments after Simulated Clinical Use

Objective

Cyclic fatigue occurred in the curved canal when the instrument freely rotated leading to repeated compressive and tensile stresses. This study aims to evaluate the cyclic fatigue resistance (CFR) of new and used 2Shape and AF F-One rotary instrument systems by using an artificial stainless-steel canal.

Methods

A total of 80 rotary nickel–titanium (NiTi) instruments of two systems were used, 2Shape/TS2 and AF F-ONE/F5 (40 in each group). The instruments were subdivided into group A 20 instruments (10 per system) that remain unused, group B 20 instruments (10 per system) instrumented 20 root canals (each file prepared 1 canal for 2 minutes), group C 20 instruments (10 per system) instrumented 40 canals each for 2 minutes (each file prepared 2 canals), group D of 20 instruments (10 per system) prepared 60 canals each for 2 minutes (each file prepared 3 canals). After each canal instrumentation, the instruments were cleaned and sterilized by autoclave. Then, all the instruments underwent cyclic fatigue testing in an artificial stainless steel canal with a 50° canal curvature and a radius of curvature of 5 mm. The time and number of cycles to failure (NCF) were recorded. Data were analyzed using the Welch ANOVA test for intragroup comparison and the pairwise test for multiple comparisons.

Results

The unused instruments of the AF F-One rotary system showed statistically higher CFR than clinically used instruments (P < 0.05). 2Shape system was not affected by clinical use (P > 0.05). The mean NCF of AF F-One instruments was significantly higher than the equivalent file group of 2Shape instruments (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

A reduction in the CFR for AF F-One instruments after use was observed when compared to the new unused file group. The 2Shape system was not affected by clinical use. AF F-One performed better in terms of NCF.

A critical analysis of research methods and experimental models to study the physical properties of NiTi instruments and their fracture characteristics

The aim of this review is to provide a critical overview of the physical properties (surface hardness, cutting efficiency, bending properties, flexibility and cyclic fatigue resistance) of NiTi instruments. Frequently used experimental models regarding these aspects will be presented and discussed with regard to their strengths and weaknesses. For all these aspects, a plethora of experimental models have been described. Based on a critical appraisal and especially taking the appropriate translation of experimental findings to clinical endodontics into account, suggestions for future research based on clearly defined and valid experimental methodologies will be provided. Up to now, very few attempts have been made to assess which particular physical properties of NiTi instruments exert an impact on the clinical outcome of root canal treatment. Departure from merely focusing on physical properties and fracture characteristics towards more biological aspects in terms of treatment outcome is essential.