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Cyclic fatigue of ProTaper instruments.

Hélio Pereira Lopes¹, Edson Jorge Lima Moreira, Carlos Nelson Elias

¹ABE/RJ and UNESA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Journal of Endodontics

|December 23, 2006

Summary

The length of artificial root canal curves significantly impacts the number of cycles before engine-driven nickel-titanium endodontic instruments fracture. Fractured instrument surfaces showed ductile characteristics without plastic deformation.

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Area of Science:

Endodontics
Materials Science
Biomedical Engineering

Background:

Engine-driven nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments are crucial in endodontic procedures.
Instrument fracture during root canal treatment can complicate procedures and affect outcomes.
Understanding factors influencing NiTi instrument fatigue life is essential for clinical success.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the effect of artificial root canal arc length on the cyclic fatigue life of ProTaper F3 instruments.
To analyze the fracture surface morphology and deformation characteristics of fractured NiTi instruments.

Main Methods:

Two artificial stainless steel root canals with different arc lengths (9.4 mm and 14.1 mm) and a 6 mm radius of curvature were fabricated.
ProTaper F3 25-mm NiTi files were rotated at 250 rpm in the artificial canals until fracture.

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Fracture surfaces and instrument shafts were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Main Results:

The number of cycles to fracture was significantly influenced by the canal arc length.
SEM analysis revealed ductile fracture characteristics on the fractured surfaces.
No significant plastic deformation was observed in the helical shaft of the fractured instruments.

Conclusions:

Artificial root canal curvature is a critical factor affecting the cyclic fatigue resistance of engine-driven NiTi endodontic instruments.
The ductile nature of the fracture suggests a fatigue failure mechanism.
Further research should explore clinical implications of canal morphology on instrument longevity.