Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2025
Author Spotlight: Rapid Prototyping and Testing of Self-Expanding Nitinol Frames for Transcatheter Implantable Devices
Published on: March 7, 2025
Advancing Nitinol: From heat treatment to surface functionalization for nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments in
Wai-Sze Chan1, Karan Gulati1, Ove A Peters1
1The University of Queensland, School of Dentistry, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia.
Abstract:
Nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloy has been extensively researched in endodontics, particularly in cleaning and shaping the root canal system. Research advances have primarily focused on the design, shape, and geometry of the NiTi files as well as metallurgy and mechanical properties. So far, extensive investigations have been made surrounding surface and thermomechanical treatments, however, limited work has been done in the realm of surface functionalization to augment its performance in endodontics. This review summarizes the unique characteristics, current use, and latest developments in thermomechanically treated NiTi endodontic files. It discusses recent improvements in nano-engineering and the possibility of customizing the NiTi file surface for added functionalization. Whilst clinical translation of this technology has yet to be fully realized, future research direction will lie in the use of nanotechnology.
