Effect of physical vapor deposition on cutting efficiency of nickel-titanium files

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible changes in cutting efficiency of nickel-titanium K-files that had undergone physical vapor deposition coating. Titanium nitride coatings were deposited using different process parameters. A total of 84 nickel-titanium K-files (size 35) were randomly divided into 7 groups of 12 instruments each. Groups A to F (experimental): instruments were coated with titanium nitride using different process parameters regarding substrate temperature, applied voltage, coating thickness, and ion bombardment. Group K (control): samples were not coated with titanium nitride. The cutting efficiency of all instruments was determined in a rotary working motion by means of a computer-driven testing device. Special plastic samples with a cylindrical canal were used, and the maximum penetration depth of the instruments into the lumen was the criterion for cutting efficiency. Instruments of groups A, F, and C achieved significantly greater penetration depths than the uncoated instruments of the control group (p < 0.05). Cutting efficiency of physical vapor deposition-coated nickel-titanium files was increased by up to 26.2% in comparison with uncoated instruments.