Comparative evaluation of cyclic fatigue resistance of file systems based on different manufacturing technologies after exposure to NaOCl and multiple sterilization cycles

Abstract

Aim: To comparatively evaluate in vitro the cyclic fatigue resistance of different file systems based on different manufacturing technologies after exposure to NaOCl and multiple sterilization cycles. Materials and Methods: Sixty new Nickel − Titanium (NiTi) rotary files were selected and divided into five groups (n = 12) based on different manufacturing technology. These groups were: Protaper Universal (GPT) (DentsplyMaillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) Protaper Next (GPTN) (Dentsply, Tulsa, OK, USA), Twisted files (GTF) (Sybron Endo, Orange, CA, USA), Neoniti (GNL) (Neolix, France), and Hyflex CM (GHCM) (Coltene/whaledent inc., 235 Ascort Parkway, Cuyahoga falls, OH, USA). Files were sterilized in an autoclave at 121°C at 15 psi for 15 min and exposed to 5.0% NaOCl solution for 30 s before cyclic fatigue testing till instrument fracture using a standardized grooved block assembly with the artificial canal at 90° angle of curvature using a 16:1 reduction hand-piece powered by a torque-controlled motor. This whole procedure of autoclaving, immersion in sodium hypochlorite solution and rotating in a stainless steel assembly was repeated again and again until the file fractured. Results: The highest mean for the number of cycles before fracture was observed with Neoniti (GNL) and lowest for Hyflex CM (GHCM). The difference between GPT vs GTF, GPTvs GNL, GNLvs GHCM; GPTNvs GTF, GPTNvs GNL, GPTNvs GHCM; GTFvs GNL, GTFvs GHCM and GNL VS GHCM was statistically significant, whereas the difference between GPTvs GPTN was statistically nonsignificant. Conclusion: Neoniti and twisted file systems resisted the maximum number of cycles to fracture at 90° angle of curvature after exposure to 5% sodium hypochlorite solution and multiple autoclaving cycles. Hyflex CM showed the least resistance in the similar conditions.