An overview of nickel-titanium alloys used in dentistry.
The nickel-titanium alloy Nitinol has been used in the manufacture of endodontic instruments in recent years. Nitinol alloys have greater strength and a lower modulus of elasticity compared with stainless steel alloys. The super-elastic behaviour of Nitinol wires means that on unloading they return to their original shape following deformation. These properties are of interest in endodontology as they allow construction of root canal instruments that utilize these favourable characteristics to provide an advantage when preparing curved canals. This review aims to provide an overview of Nitinol alloys used in dentistry in order for its unique characteristics to be appreciated.
Thompson
S A
SA
Department of Adult Dental Health, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK. thompsonsa@cardiff.ac.uk
D000497:Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D003461:Crystallography; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D003734:Dental Casting Investment / Q000737:chemistry; D015921:Dental Implants; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D008669:Metallurgy; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
D000497:Alloys; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003734:Dental Casting Investment; D015921:Dental Implants; C040654:titanium nickelide; D013193:Stainless Steel; C013616:nitinol; D009532:Nickel; D014025:Titanium