Role of the Crystallographic Phase of NiTi Rotary Instruments in Determining Their Torsional Resistance during Different Bending Conditions

The aim of this study was to assess the role of the crystallographic phase of Nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments in determining their torsional resistance during different bending conditions, such as different degrees and angles of curvature. 200 F-One 20.04 instruments (Fanta Dental, Shanghai, China) were used, 100 austenitic instruments and 100 martensitic instruments. Each group was divided in 5 subgroups according to the different bending conditions (straight canal, 90° or 60° of curvature degrees and 3 mm or 5 mm of radius of curvature). The static torsional test was performed by using a device composed of an electric motor capable of recording torque values (N·cm); a vice used to secure the instruments at 3 mm from the tip; and artificial canals, which allow instruments to remain flexed during test. Each instrument was rotated at 500 rpm with a torque limit set to 5.5 Ncm until its fracture. Torque at Fracture (TtF) was registered. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation was conducted. The collected data confirm that an increase in the angle of curvature and a decrease in the radius of curvature of the artificial canals lead to an increase of TtF values with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05), both in the austenitic and martensitic groups. Regarding the comparison between austenitic and martensitic groups in the same bending condition, a statistically significant difference was found only when the torsional test was performed in the canals with the degrees of curvature of 90° and the radius of curvature of 3 mm and 5 mm, with the austenitic instruments showing a higher TtF than the martensitic ones. In conclusion, it can be stated that the crystallographic phase influences the maximum torque at fracture when the instruments are subjected to severe bending and that the radius of curvature significantly influences their torsional resistance.

In Vitro Evaluation of a Recently Developed Rotary File: AF Rotary

Objective: Aim of the present study is to evaluate mechanical properties of a newly developed rotary file, AF Rotary (Fanta Dental, Shanghai, China), and to compare these features with a worldwide spread rotary file, Protaper Gold F2 (PTG F2; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). Material and Methods: 60 AF Rotary 25.06 and 60 PTG F2 were divided in three groups of 20 files each. A group underwent to cyclic fatigue resistance tests, second group underwent to torsional resistance tests, third group underwent to bending tests. The statistical analysis was performed using t student test with significance level set at 95% (p < 0.05). Results: AF Rotary showed significantly higher torsional resistance and cyclic fatigue resistance (p < 0.05) when compared to the PTG F2. AF Rotary also showed significantly lower bending resistance (p < 0.05) when compared to the PTG F2. Conclusion: Therefore, within the limitations of this study, the results show better performances for AF Rotary compared to PTG F2 regarding the cyclic fatigue test, the torsional test and the bending test. Since the PTG F2 is a commonly used and widely investigated instrument it could be possible to state that the AF Rotary exhibits remarkable in vitro performances. Keywords AF Rotary; Protaper gold; NiTi rotary instruments; Cyclic fatigue; Torsional resistance.

Torsional Resistance of Heat-Treated Nickel-Titanium Instruments under Different Temperature Conditions

This study compared the torsional resistance of heat-treated nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments under different temperature conditions. Four thermomechanically treated single-use NiTi rotary instruments were selected for this study: OneShape (OS), OneCurve (OC), WaveOne Gold (WOG) and HyFlex EDM (HFE). Each instrument was further subdivided by temperature into 2 subgroups. Maximum torque and the distortion angle until fracture occurred were evaluated. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis was performed to measure the phase transformation temperature. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-way ANOVA and t-test (p < 0.05). Fractured fragments were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The two-way ANOVA showed no significant differences for different temperature conditions. At both room (RT) and body temperature (BT), OS was predominantly austenite while HFE was martensite. OC and WOG were predominantly martensite at RT and mixed phase at BT. At BT, more than half of WOG was martensite, while half of OC was austenite. SEM examination showed no topographical differences between instruments in different temperature groups. In relation to a limitation of this study, there was no difference in torsional resistance of NiTi rotary instruments between the BT and RT conditions. This implies that clinicians do not need to consider a decrease of torsional resistance of heat-treated NiTi instruments at BT.

Angle of Insertion and Torsional Resistance of Nickel–Titanium Rotary Instruments

Previously published studies have investigated the influence of instrument access on cyclic fatigue resistance. However, no studies have evaluated the relationship between angulated access and torsional resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the angle of access on the torsional resistance of endodontic instruments. One hundred and eighty instruments were selected: 90 F-One Blue 25/04 and 90 HeroShaper 25/04 instruments. Three subgroups (n = 30) for each instrument type (A and B) were established according to the angle of insertion of the instruments inside the artificial canal (0°, 10° and 20°). The tests were performed using a custom-made device consisting of the following: a motor that can record torque values of 0.1 s; interchangeable stainless-steel canals with different curvature (0°, 10° and 20°) that allow the instrument’s angulated insertion and keep it flexed during testing procedures; and a vise used to secure the instrument at 3 mm from the tip. Torque limit was set to 5.5 Ncm, and each instrument was rotated at 500 rpm until fracture occurred. Torque to fracture (TtF) was registered by the endodontic motor, and the fragment length (FL) was measured with a digital caliper. Fractographic analysis was performed using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation to confirm the cause of failure. TtF values and fragment length (FL) values were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons across the groups with significance set to a 95% confidence level. Regarding the F-One Blue instruments, the results showed a higher TtF for group A3 (20°) than for group A1 (0°) and group A2 (10°), with a statistically significant difference between group A3 and the other two groups (p < 0.05), whereas no statistically significant difference was found between group A1 and group A2 (p > 0.05). Regarding the HeroShaper instrument, the results showed the highest TtF for group B3, with a statistically significant difference between the three subgroups B1, B2 and B3 (p < 0.05). The results showed that the torsional resistance increases as the angle of instrument access increases with a varying intensity, according to the crystallographic phase of the instrument selected.

Design Requirements for Scapholunate Interosseous Ligament Reconstruction

Background As numerous repairs, reconstructions, and replacements have been used following scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) injury, there is a need to define the structural requirements for any reconstruction or replacement. Methods Research has been conducted on the force needed to keep the scaphoid and lunate reduced following simulated injury, the failure force of the native SLIL and various replacements, the stiffness of the SLIL and replacements, and the torsional resistance of the scaphoid relative to the lunate. Results Forces on the order of 50 N are needed to keep the scaphoid and lunate reduced during simple wrist motions in the chronically injured wrist. Even greater forces (up to 110 N) are needed to keep the bones reduced during strenuous activities, such as pushups. The failure force of the entire SLIL has been reported to be as high as 350 N and the failure force of just the dorsal component of the SLIL to be 270 N. Conclusions The design requirements for a reconstruction or repair may vary depending upon the demands of the patient. In a high demand patient, a reconstruction needs to support the above-mentioned forces during cyclic loading (50 N), when performing strenuous activities (110 N), or during a fall (at least 350 N). Any artificial replacement must undergo careful biocompatibility testing.