Cutting efficiency of 3 different instrument designs used in reciprocation.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the effect of flute number and cross-sectional area on the cutting efficiency of 3 reciprocating endodontic instruments twisted from rectangular stainless steel wire; 40/0.02 instruments at 25-mm length were compared.


METHODS
Seventy-five anterior teeth were prepared, divided into 3 groups, and operated on with a reciprocating handpiece at 2500 rpm for 5 seconds at around 500 grams of force: Group 1, SafeSiders; Group 2, Dentsply K-Files; Group 3, Dentsply K-Reamers. Dentin generated was collected in weigh dishes. Cutting efficiency was determined by dentin weight. Statistical analysis was performed with 1-way ANOVA and the Student-Neuman-Keuls (SNK) multiple comparisons testing.


RESULTS
SafeSider instruments produced a greater amount of debris than K-Files and K-Reamers (P < .026). K-Files and K-Reamers were not statistically different (P = .63).


CONCLUSIONS
Flute number had no effect on cutting efficiency. Cross-sectional area may be a determining factor on cutting efficiency.
Wan
Jeffrey
J
Essential Dental Laboratories, South Hackensack, NJ, USA. jwan@edsdental.com
Rasimick
Brian J
BJ
Musikant
Barry L
BL
Deutsch
Allan S
AS
D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003804:Dentin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008422:Materials Testing; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D003722:Dental Alloys; D013193:Stainless Steel