Fracture and deformation of ProTaper Next instruments after clinical use

Cyclic fatigue resistance of EdgeTaper Platinum, Protaper Gold, and TruNatomy Prime rotary files before and after autoclave sterilization

Background

This in vitro investigation aimed to determine the influence of multiple autoclave cycles on the cyclic fatigue resistance of three heat-treated nickel-titanium (NiTi) files: EdgeTaper Platinum (ETP), ProTaper Gold (PTG), and TruNatomy Prime (TN).

Materials

Sixty NiTi files, twenty of each NiTi file type: ETP 25/.06, PTG 25/.08, and TN 26/.04 were randomly divided into four equal subgroups (n = 5). The files for the control group were left un-autoclaved. Different autoclave sterilization cycles (one, five, and ten) were used for the other three groups. The files were then placed in a metal canal block and rotated according to the manufacturer's instructions until fracture. The length of the broken segment and the time taken for fracture were measured. The fractured surfaces were subsequently subjected to SEM imaging. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the data, followed by Dunn-Bonferroni pairwise comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

ETP showed significantly greater resistance to cyclic fatigue than TN in all autoclave groups and PTG after five autoclave cycles (p = 0.014). Fatigue resistance was not affected by the number of autoclaving cycles, except for ETP. After the first and tenth autoclaving cycles, they required significantly more rotations to failure than the non-sterilized files (p = 0.039 and p = 0.021, respectively). The fractured segments of the ETP files in these two groups were also longer than those in the control group (p = 0.010).

Conclusion

The cyclic fatigue resistance of ETP was greater than that of TN in all tested conditions. Repeated autoclave cycles of sterilization improved the cyclic fatigue resistance of the ETP files only and did not affect the cyclic fatigue resistance of TN and PTG. However, the ETP files separated at a longer distance from the tip with increased autoclaving cycles.

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.

Assessment of Post-operative Pain after using EdgeFile X7 and Protaper Next Rotary Systems in Patients with Symptomatic Pulpitis in Mandibular Molars: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of post-operative pain and analgesics intake after single-visit endodontic treatment using Edge File X7 and ProTaper Next (PTN) rotary files in mandibular molars having symptomatic pulpitis. METHODS: The study included 60 patients complaining of symptomatic pulpitis in mandibular molar teeth. After confirming the diagnosis clinically and radiographically, patients were assigned into two equal groups; Group (I): Instrumentation was done with Edge File X7 (EF) rotary files and Group (II): Instrumentation was done with PTN rotary files. The patients underwent standardized single visit endodontic treatment procedures using 2.5% sodium hypochlorite for irrigation. Modified visual analogue scale was used to access pain preoperatively, and then postoperatively after 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. An analgesic (ibuprofen 400 mg) was prescribed to the patient who suffered from persistent pain. The incidence and/or number of analgesic tablets intake were recorded. Data of pain score were compared using Mann–Whitney U test for intergroup comparisons and Freidman’s test followed by Dunn’s post hoc test for intragroup comparisons. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was detected between EF and PTN groups regarding the incidence and intensity of pain at different time intervals (p > 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the mean VAS score through the follow-up periods in both groups (p < 0.001). The incidence of analgesic intake was not significant in both groups. CONCLUSION: The incidence of post-operative pain and the analgesic intake in terms of frequency and quantity were found to be similar with both rotary systems for all the post-operative time points.

Reciproc Endodontic File Surface Defects After Single Use: An SEM Analysis

Objective:

The aim of this investigation was to detect defects that may occur to Reciproc endodontic files after a single use.

Materials and Methods:

A sample of convenience of Reciproc files (VDW GmbH, Munich, Germany) that were used to prepare root canals of anterior or posterior teeth were collected. The files were divided equally into two groups: Group 1 (R25) files were used to prepare mesial root canals of 50 human permanent mandibular molars, and Group 2 (R40) included 50 files that were used to prepare permanent maxillary incisor teeth. Files were analyzed after single use by using a scanning electron microscope at X120 to detect changes in surface morphology. The data were statistically analyzed by using the χ² test, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results:

A total of 96 Reciproc NiTi files were collected; of those, 67 (70%) were unaffected and 29 (30%) showed overall surface deformations. The types of deformation were blade disruption (22%), surface pitting (12%), and unwinding and tip deformation (1%). No microcracks were detected, and none of the studied files showed fracture. R40 was three times more likely to be deformed and showed blade disruption compared with R25 (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Reciproc rotary NiTi files show high resistance to deformation after a single use. Blade disruption was the most frequent defect occurring in both the small and large files.