Open AccessEvaluation of Flexibility, Microstructure and Elemental Analysis of Some Contemporary Nickel-Titanium Rotary Instruments
Author(s) -
Tamer M. Hamdy,
Manar Galal,
A. M. Ismail,
Rasha M. Abdelraouf
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
open access macedonian journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.288
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 1857-9655
DOI - 10.3889/oamjms.2019.811
Subject(s) - nickel titanium , microstructure , materials science , scanning electron microscope , root canal , titanium , elemental analysis , scratch , composite material , metallurgy , orthodontics , medicine , shape memory alloy , chemistry , organic chemistry
BACKGROUND: Contemporary nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary endodontic instruments had a revolutionary impact on the success of root canal treatment.
AIM: To evaluate the flexibility, microstructure and elemental analysis of four different recent NiTi rotary instruments, namely; Wave One Gold, TF adaptive, HyFlex EDM and Gr_Reciproc Blue compared to conventional Protaper Universal (F2).
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The NiTi rotary files were subjected to cantilever bending test to evaluate their flexibility. The microstructural characteristics and elemental analysis were examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX).
RESULTS: The TF adaptive, HyFlex EDM and Wave One Gold endodontic files showed significantly lower cantilever bending values (i.e., higher flexibility) than Protaper F2 and Gr_Reciproc Blue (p < 0.05). The SEM micrographs showed that the bulk of all examined files showed multiple striations due to the cutting process, on the other hand, their external surfaces were different: The Protaper Universal F2 showed multiple voids, while the TF Adaptive surface exhibited more uniform structure. The Hyflex EDM had a crater-like surface, whereas Wave one Gold showed machining grooves with minimum defects, while Reciproc Blue displayed machining grooves with random scratch lines. There was a significant difference in bulk and surface elemental analysis of the various examined files, yet composed mainly of the same elements.
CONCLUSION: Chemical composition, heat treatment, manufacturing process and geometrical design of the NiTi rotary instrument have a great influence on their flexibility and microstructure.