Surface characteristics of reciprocating instruments before and after use--a SEM analysis

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Dental Materials Science
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Endodontic reciprocating instruments are crucial for root canal preparation.
• Assessing instrument integrity post-procedure is vital for safety and efficacy.
• Chemical-mechanical preparation (MCP) can induce stress and potential damage to instruments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the presence of debris, defects, and deformations in Waveone and Reciproc endodontic instruments after chemical-mechanical preparation (MCP).
• To evaluate the impact of MCP on the structural integrity of two types of reciprocating instruments.

Main Methods:

• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine 26 endodontic reciprocating instruments (13 Waveone, 13 Reciproc) before and after MCP.
• Instruments were analyzed at 2 and 4 mm from the tip for debris, irregular edges, grooves, microcavities, and burrs.
• Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Walis, and Mann Whitney tests (p<0.05).

Main Results:

• All examined instruments exhibited debris both before and after MCP.
• A statistically significant difference in defects and deformations was observed between the two instrument groups (p<0.05).
• Waveone instruments demonstrated a higher incidence of defects and deformities compared to Reciproc instruments.

Conclusions:

• Reciprocating endodontic instruments, including Waveone and Reciproc, are prone to debris accumulation.
• Reciproc instruments exhibit superior resistance to defects and deformations following chemical-mechanical preparation compared to Waveone instruments.
• The findings suggest potential differences in the durability and clinical longevity of these reciprocating instrument systems.