Mechanical Properties of ProTaper Gold, EdgeTaper Platinum, Flex Gold and Pro-T Rotary Systems

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cyclic fatigue, torsional behavior and bending resistance of EdgeTaper Platinum [ETP (tip 25, taper 0.06)], Flex Gold [FG (tip 25, taper 0.08)], Pro-T [PT (tip 25, taper 0.08)] and ProTaper Gold [PTG (tip 25, taper 0.08)] systems.

Rotary instruments of ETP, PT, FG, and PTG were used (n=30). Cyclic fatigue tests were performed using an artificial stainless-steel canal with a 60o angle and a 5-mm radius of curvature at body temperature (35°±1°C). The time and number of cycles to fracture (NCF) was recorded. The torsional test evaluated the torque and angle of rotation to failure at 3 mm from the tip according to ISO 3630-1. The fractured surface of each fragment was observed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The bending test evaluated the torque required to bend the instruments at an angular deflection of 60°. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests, and the level of significance was set at 5%.

The ETP had highest time until fracture and NCF than all the groups (P<0.05). The PTG had the highest torsional strength, followed by FG (P<0.05). The ETP had the highest angular rotation, followed by PT and PTG (P<0.05). The FG showed the highest bending resistance, followed by the PTG (P<0.05).

In conclusion, the ETP and PT exhibited higher cyclic fatigue resistance, higher angular deflection values and lower bending force than FG and PTG. The PTG instruments showed the highest torsional strength and the lowest cyclic fatigue resistance.