Phase transformation behaviour and bending properties of hybrid nickel-titanium rotary endodontic instruments.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the bending properties of hybrid rotary nickel-titanium endodontic instruments in relation to their transformation behaviour.


METHODS
Four types of nickel-titanium rotary endodontic instruments with different cross-sectional shapes (triangular-based and rectangular-based) and different heat treatment conditions (super-elastic type and hybrid type with shape memory effect) were selected to investigate bending properties and phase transformation behaviour. Bending load of the instruments was measured in a cantilever-bending test at 37 degrees C with the maximum deflection of 3.0 mm. A commercial rotary instrument, ProFile (PF; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) was used as a reference for the bending test. Phase transformation temperatures were calculated from the diagrams obtained from differential scanning calorimetry. Data were analysed by anova and Scheffe's test.


RESULTS
The bending load values of the hybrid type that had undergone additional heat treatment at the tip were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the super-elastic type with no additional heat treatment. The bending load values of rectangular-based cross-sectional shaped instruments were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of triangular-based cross-sectional shaped instruments. Phase transformation temperatures (M(s) and A(f) points) of the hybrid type were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the super-elastic type. The M(f) and A(s) points of the tip part were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of the whole part of the hybrid instrument.


CONCLUSIONS
Additional heat treatment of hybrid nickel-titanium instruments may be effective in increasing the flexibility of nickel-titanium rotary instruments.
Hayashi
Y
Y
Pulp Biology and Endodontics, Department of Restorative Sciences, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. y.hayashi.endo@tmd.ac.jp
Yoneyama
T
T
Yahata
Y
Y
Miyai
K
K
Doi
H
H
Hanawa
T
T
Ebihara
A
A
Suda
H
H
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003762:Dental Instruments; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D004548:Elasticity; D004867:Equipment Design; D006358:Hot Temperature; D009532:Nickel; D044367:Phase Transition; D018583:Pliability; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014025:Titanium; D044366:Transition Temperature
D003722:Dental Alloys; C040654:titanium nickelide; D009532:Nickel; D014025:Titanium