A three-dimensional finite element analysis of 0.02 taper 20# stainless steel K files during root canal instrumentation / 中华口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the stress distribution of stainless steel K (SSK)files during root canal instrumentation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A three-dimensional finite element model was established and analyzed under curved and torsional conditions by ANSYS 9.0.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A finite element model of a 0.02 taper SSK 20# file was established. Under curved conditions, the stress was focused on the cutting edge when point contact occurred or the file was turned counterclockwise. The stress was focused between the cutting edges when line contact occurred or the files turned clockwise. The stress was much greater when the file contacted with the inner surface of the canal model by one point than by a line or when the file was engaged closer to the tip.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The max pulling stress was focused on the surface of the file which indicated the starting point of the fracture.</p>