Cyclic fatigue resistance of ProTaper gold and two replicalike rotary systems. An in vitro study

Abstract

Introduction: As a new phenomenon in endodontics, it was observed that nickel–titanium (NiTi) rotary systems closely replicate the systems created by the original companies are manufactured and available in the market for clinicians. These replica systems are usually sold at lower prices than the original rotary systems, which attracted end-user clinicians. Although clinicians widely use these replica systems, their mechanical performance has not been evaluated in any scientific literature. The aim of the current study was to analyze the cyclic fatigue resistance of two lower prices replica NiTi rotary file systems involving 0.25/0.08 v of MG3 Gold Perfect® and V TAPER Gold Fanta versus ProTaper Gold®. Materials and Methods: The NiTi rotary instruments (n = 15 of each) were allowed to rotate continuously, in dynamic mode, in a simulated stainless steel canal having a 6 mm radius and 60° curve till fracture. Time to fracture (TTF) in seconds was recorded, and the number of cycles to failure (NCF) was calculated. TTF and NCF were compared between the three groups. Results: The V TAPER Gold Fanta instrument showed significantly longer TTF than the ProTaper Gold instrument (mean = 1130.30 ± 244.42 vs. 354.30 ± 52.01 s), accounting for a three-fold difference in NCF (mean = 6593.42 ± 1425.79 vs. 2066.75 ± 303.40 cycles, P < 0.001). However, an insignificant difference in TTF was observed between the MG3 Gold Perfect® and ProTaper Gold instruments (P = 1.00). Conclusions: The V TAPER Gold Fanta instrument is a safe and cost-effective alternative to the ProTaper Gold instrument.