Testing Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of Nickel Titanium Rotary Endodontic Instruments: A Validation Study for a Minimum Quality Criterion in a Standardized Environment

Introduction: Cyclic fatigue resistance of rotary endodontic instruments has been extensively studied in the last two decades, yet with no standardization. While new low-cost instruments are now manufactured, a standard is lacking to guarantee a minimum quality. This study aimed to validate a new model for CF testing through a fixture proposed for ISO Specification 3630-1 and to establish a minimum quality standard based on testing conditions and material characteristics.Materials and methods: Size 25/0.06 instruments of ProFile Vortex (PF) and Vortex Blue (VB) were run until failure in curved metallic fixtures (5 or 7.5 mm radius) built according to a proposal for an additional test for the ISO 3630-1 standard. High resolution videos were recorded, number of cycles to failure (NCF) registered and apical fragments measured with a digital caliper. Surface strain was determined from test dimensions and fragment lengths. Mean life, β and η parameters were calculated with Weibull analysis. NCF data were compared using student's t-tests and referenced to a minimum required cycles at fracture (Cmin) based on austenite finish temperatures, testing temperature and deformation.Results: VB instruments were statistically more resistant than PF in both 7.5 mm radius curve (p = 0.001) and 5 mm radius curve (p = 0.002) simulated canals. Weibull probability plots showed higher mean life for VB than PV. NCF for both instruments were higher than Cmin.Conclusions: The NCF results in this study support the findings of previous studies where VB and PF were compared. The novel test design appears a suitable addition to ISO 3630-1.

Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of Blue Heat-Treated Instruments at Different Temperatures

The main aim is to evaluate the cyclic fatigue resistance of blue heat-treated instruments with different kinematics. Twenty-four endodontic instruments of the same brand were used for each of three experimental groups: VB (Vortex Blue 40/0.04), RB (RECIPROC Blue 40/0.06), and XB (X1 Blue 40/0.06). The instruments were randomly distributed and subjected to temperatures of 20°C and 37°C. The fatigue test was performed using a stainless steel device. Data were analysed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, Student’s t-test, the F test, and Tukey’s and Tamhane tests at significance level P = 0.05 . The instruments’ cyclic fatigue resistance at both temperatures differed significantly for each instrument type ( P < 0.001 ). The RB instruments displayed greater cyclic fatigue resistance at the tested temperatures compared with the VB and XB instruments ( P < 0.001 ). Reciprocating kinematics positively influenced cyclic fatigue resistance. Blue heat-treated instruments showed decreased cyclic fatigue resistance as the temperature increased ( P < 0.001 ).

Comparison of Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of Five Heat Treated NiTi Rotary Systems in Single and Double Curved Canals.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare cyclic fatigue resistance (CFR) and separation patterns during rotating movement of five heat-treated nickel titanium files in both single and double-curved canals. MethodsCFR was compared between five groups of 24 files each: HyFlex® EDM, HyFlex™ CM, Vortex Blue®, Protaper Next®, and One Curve, by determining the time needed to fracture (TTF) and the number of cycles to failure (NCF) in a cyclic fatigue testing device with a single 5-mm radius of curvature (ROC) and 60° angle, and a double curvature; coronal curvature (5 mm ROC and 60° angle) and apical curvature (2 mm ROC and 70° angle). The separation pattern was evaluated, and file fragment separated length were measured. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc were used to compare statistical differences between the groups. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to investigate the fracture sites. Results HyFlex™ CM files displayed significantly higher CFR, followed by HyFlex® EDM and Vortex Blue® in single curvature canals, and Protaper Next® (PTN) in the double curvature canals, as observed by TFF and NCF. PTN group had the highest tendency for files to extrude apically after separation in both curvatures. ConclusionHyFlex™ CM instruments have superior resistance to cyclic flexural fatigue within single canals with single and double curvatures, followed by HyFlex® EDM and Vortex Blue® instruments. Protaper Next® files followed by One Curve had the highest tendency to extrude apically after separationClinical relevanceHyFlex™ CM instruments showed the highest safety in preparing canals with single or double curvatures, considering CFR.

Avaliação da resistência à fadiga cíclica e torcional de quatro instrumentos rotatórios de NiTi com secções transversais semelhantes e diferentes tratamentos térmicos

Objetivo: O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a resistência à fadiga cíclica e torcional de instrumentos rotatórios de níquel-titânio com secções transversais semelhantes e confeccionados com diferentes tipos de tratamentos térmicos: Hyflex CM (HCM 25/.06), Vortex Blue (VB 25/.06), Sequence Rotary File (SRF 25/.06) e EdgeSequel (EDF 25/.06) (n=20). Métodos: O teste de fadiga cíclica avaliou o tempo e o número de ciclos para a fratura (NCF) dos instrumentos em canal artificial com 60° de curvatura e 5mm de raio (n=10). O teste de torção avaliou o torque máximo e a deflexão angular para a fratura dos 3mm da ponta dos instrumentos (n=10). Após o teste de torção e de fadiga cíclica, os instrumentos foram avaliados em microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) (n=10). Os dados foram analisados empregando-se os testes ANOVA e de Tukey, sendo selecionado um nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: HCM apresentou o maior tempo e NCF entre todos os instrumentos avaliados (p<0,05). O SRF apresentou um tempo semelhante (p>0,05) e menor NCF (p<0,05) do que o VB. Em relação ao teste torcional, o HCM apresentou menor valor de torque e maior deflexão angular entre os grupos avaliados (p<0,05). Não houve diferenças significativas entre VB, SRF e EDF em relação à deflexão angular (p>0,05). Conclusão: O HCM apresentou maior resistência à fadiga cíclica e deflexão angular. Entretanto, o VB apresentou maior resistência torcional para a fratura.

The Effect of Multiple Autoclave Sterilization on the Cyclic Fatigue of Three Heat-Treated Nickel-Titanium Rotary Files: EdgeFile X7, Vortex Blue, and TRUShape

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of repeated autoclave sterilization on the cyclic fatigue resistance of heat-treated NiTi rotary endodontic instruments. Materials and Methods. Three NiTi rotary endodontic instruments (EdgeFile X7, EFX7 0.30/0.4; Vortex Blue, VB 0.30/0.4; and TRUShape, TS 0.30/0.6) were selected. Each group ( n = 24 each) was divided into 2 subgroups ( n = 12 each): sterilized instruments and nonsterilized instruments. The sterilized instruments were subjected to 10 cycles of autoclave sterilization. Twelve instruments from each different subgroups were tested for cyclic fatigue resistance, and the number of cycles to failure (NCF) was calculated. Means and standard deviations were calculated for each group, and data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS program ( P < 0.05 ). Results. Sterilized and nonsterilized EFX7 files showed the highest NCF compared with other file subgroups. Comparing the results between sterilized and nonsterilized instruments for each type of files, there was a statistically significant difference ( P < 0.05 ) only between sterilized and nonsterilized EFX7 files (1198 versus 755 NCF). The other instruments did not show significant differences ( P > 0.05 ) in the mean NCF as a result of sterilization cycles (VB, 606 versus 568 NCF; TS, 487 versus 442 NCF). Conclusion. Repeated cycles of autoclave sterilization increased the NCF of the new heat-treated files, with EFX7 showing statistically significant superior results compared with other files tested.

The Influence of NiTi Alloy on the Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of Endodontic Files

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of NiTi alloy in endodontic rotary instruments on cyclic fatigue resistance. Methods: One hundred and sixty-four (164) sterile endodontic rotary files were selected and distributed into the following study groups: A: 25.08 F2 ProTaper Universal (PTU) (n = 41); B: 25.06 X2 ProTaper Next (PTN) (n = 41); C: 25.08 F2 ProTaper Gold (PTG) (n = 41), and D: 25.06 ProFile Vortex Blue (PVB) (n = 41). A cyclic fatigue device was designed to conduct the static cyclic fatigue tests with stainless steel artificial root canals systems with 250 µm apical diameter, 60° curvature angle, 5 mm radius of curvature, 20 mm length, and 6% (25.06) and 8% taper (25.08). Failure of the endodontic rotary instrument was detected by a single operator through direct observation and was also filmed to allow measurement of the exact time to failure. Results were analyzed using the ANOVA test and Weibull statistical analysis. Results: All pairwise comparisons presented statistically significant differences between the time to failure for the NiTi alloy study groups (p < 0.001), except between the PTN and PVB study groups (p = 0.379). In addition, statistically significant differences between the number of cycles to failure for the NiTi alloy study groups (p < 0.001) were also observed. Conclusions: The NiTi CM-Gold wire alloy of the ProTaper Gold endodontic rotary files resulted in greater resistance to cyclic fatigue than ProFile Vortex Blue, ProTaper Next, and ProTaper Universal endodontic rotary files.

In Vitro comparison of cyclic fatigue resistance of TruNatomy in single and double curvature canals compared with different nickel-titanium rotary instruments

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the cyclic fatigue resistance of newly developed TruNatomy instruments (TRN) in single and double (S-shaped) curvature canals with HyFlex CM (HCM), Vortex Blue (VB) and RaCe (RC) instruments. Methods: Size 20/.04 taper and size 25/0.04 of HCM, VB and RC were used. For TRN instruments, size 20/.04 taper (small) and size 26/.04 taper (prime) were used. The instruments were tested in artificial canals with double curvature (coronal curve; 60° curvature, 5 mm radius and apical curve; 70° curvature and 2 mm radius) and single curvature (60° curvature, 5 mm radius). The number of cycles to failure (NCF) was recorded. Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s multiple comparison tests. Weibull analysis was performed on NCF data. Statistical significant was set at p < 0.05. Results: TRN and HCM revealed higher NCF compared with the other instruments for both tested sizes in single and double curvature canals ( p < 0.05). TRN and HCM showed no statistically significant difference in the NCF ( p > 0.05). The probability of survival was higher for HCM and TRN instruments than VB and RC instruments. Conclusions: HCM and TRN instruments were more resistant to cyclic fatigue than VB and RC instruments in single and double curvature canals. HCM and TRN instruments were anticipated to survive with higher number of cycles than the other tested instruments. RC instrument had the lowest fatigue resistance than the other instruments.

In Vitro comparison of cyclic fatigue resistance of TruNatomy in single and double curvature canals compared with different nickel-titanium rotary instruments

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the cyclic fatigue resistance of newly developed TruNatomy instruments (TRN) in single and double (S-shaped) curvature canals with HyFlex CM (HCM), Vortex Blue (VB) and RaCe (RC) instruments. Methods: Size 20/.04 taper and size 25/0.04 of HCM, VB and RC were used. For TRN instruments, size 20/.04 taper (small) and size 26/.04 taper (prime) were used. The instruments were tested in artificial canals with double curvature (coronal curve; 60° curvature, 5 mm radius and apical curve; 70° curvature and 2 mm radius) and single curvature (60° curvature, 5 mm radius). The number of cycles to failure (NCF) was recorded. Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s multiple comparison tests. Weibull analysis was performed on NCF data. Statistical significant was set at p < 0.05. Results: TRN and HCM revealed higher NCF compared with the other instruments for both tested sizes in single and double curvature canals (p < 0.05). TRN and HCM showed no statistically significant difference in the NCF (p > 0.05). The probability of survival was higher for HCM and TRN instruments than VB and RC instruments. Conclusions: HCM and TRN instruments were more resistant to cyclic fatigue than VB and RC instruments in single and double curvature canals. HCM and TRN instruments were anticipated to survive with higher number of cycles than the other tested instruments. RC instrument had the lowest fatigue resistance than the other instruments.

In Vitro comparison of cyclic fatigue resistance of TruNatomy in single and double curvature canals compared with different nickel-titanium rotary instruments

Background The purpose of this study was to compare the cyclic fatigue resistance of newly developed TruNatomy instruments (TRN) in single and double (S-shaped) curvature canals with HyFlex CM (HCM), Vortex Blue (VB) and RaCe (RC) instruments.Methods Size 20/0.04 taper and size 25/0.04 of HCM, VB and RC were used. For TRN instruments, size 20/0.04 taper (small) and size 26/0.04 taper (prime) were used. The instruments were tested in artificial canals with double curvature (coronal curve; 60° curvature, 5 mm radius and apical curve; 70° curvature and 2 mm radius) and single curvature (60° curvature, 5 mm radius). The number of cycles to failure (NCF) was recorded. Data were statistically analyzed and Weibull analysis was performed on NCF data. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.Results TRN and HCM revealed significantly higher NCF compared with the other instruments for both tested sizes in single and double curvature canals ( p < 0.05). TRN and HCM showed no significant difference in the NCF ( p > 0.05). The probability of survival was higher for HCM and TRN instruments than VB and RC instruments.Conclusion HCM and TRN instruments were more resistance to cyclic fatigue than VR and RC instruments in single and double curvature canals. HCM and TRN instruments were anticipated to survive with higher number of cycles than the other tested instruments. RC instrument had the lowest fatigue resistance than the other instruments.