The Influence of Cyclic Straining in Torsion on Fatigue Resistance and Torsional Properties of ProTaper NiTi Endodontic Instruments

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of cyclic straining in torsion on fatigue resistance and torsional properties of ProTaper (S1, S2, F1, F2, F3) NiTi instruments. The mechanical behavior was evaluated by means of torsion and bending tests, performed according to ISO 3630-1 specification, while the fatigue resistance was evaluated using a bench test device employing an artificial canal with 5mm curvature radius and angle of curvature of 45º. The dimensional aspects, diameter (D3) and cross-sectional area (A3) at 3mm from the tip of the instruments were determined by means of image analysis of optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface characteristics of instruments before and after they were submitted to cyclic straining in torsion and the morphological aspects of the fractured surfaces were analyzed by SEM. The maximum torque and the bending moment at 45º were higher for instruments with larger D3 and A3. The F1 and F2 instruments followed the Coffin-Manson’s relation, i.e., their number of cycles to failure (NCF) varied inversely with the strain amplitude. With the exception of S1 and S2 instruments, there was a tendency of decreasing the maximum torque after the instruments have been submitted to cyclic straining in torsion. With the exception of S1 instruments, there was a tendency of decreasing the NCF after torsional cycling. The analyses by SEM showed the presence of longitudinal cracks on the instruments previously cycled in torsion. The morphological aspects of the fractured surfaces of instruments tested in torsion or flexural fatigue did not changed by the cyclic straining in torsion. These changes in mechanical properties with torsional cycling can be related to the generation of imperfections such as longitudinal cracks on the instruments.