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The use of ultrasound for cleaning the surface of stainless steel and nickel–titanium endodontic instruments
Author(s) -
Tanomaru Filho M.,
Leonardo M. R.,
Bonifácio K. C.,
Dametto F. R.,
Silva L. A. B.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2591.2001.00430.x
Subject(s) - nickel titanium , materials science , dental instruments , scanning electron microscope , distilled water , titanium , ultrasonic sensor , metallurgy , dentistry , ultrasound , biomedical engineering , medicine , composite material , radiology , chemistry , chromatography , shape memory alloy
Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound in cleaning the surface of stainless steel and Ni–Ti endodontic instruments. Methodology Twenty nickel–titanium instruments (10 Quantec files and 10 Nitiflex) and 20 stainless steel K‐files (10 Maillefer‐Dentsply and 10 Moyco Union Broach) were removed from their original packages and evaluated using a scanning electron microscope. Scores were given for the presence of residues on the surface of the instruments. The instruments were then cleaned in an ultrasonic bath containing only distilled water or detergent solution for 15 min, and re‐evaluated, using scanning electron microscopy. Results Before cleaning, a greater amount of metallic debris was observed on the nickel–titanium Quantec instruments ( P < 0.05), when compared to those made of stainless steel. Statistical analysis showed that the use of ultrasound was effective for cleaning the instruments, regardless of the irrigating solution or the instruments type ( P < 0.05). Conclusions The use of ultrasound proved to be an efficient method for the removal of metallic particles from the surface of stainless steel and Ni–Ti endodontic instruments.