ABSTRACT
AIM: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of various short-term cooling durations on the performance of both superelastic and thermally treated nickel titanium (NiTi) files, tested in a dynamic cyclic fatigue model. METHODOLOGY: Superelastic RaCe (FKG, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) and thermally treated RaCe EVO (FKG, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) files of the same size and taper (25, 0.06) (n = 45 each) were tested using a dynamic cyclic fatigue model, where the number of cycles to failure (Nf) was measured at simulated body temperature. In each group, the samples were tested as received, after 5 seconds of cooling treatment, and after 15 seconds of cooling treatment (n = 15 each). Fractured file surfaces were investigated via scanning electron microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way ANOVA with Scheffe's post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: Significant differences in the Nf between the tested groups were found (p < 0.05) at each testing condition, where RaCe Evo files showed overall improved cyclic fatigue resistance. Only the RaCe groups at 5 second cooling showed significantly higher Nf than the control subgroup (p < 0.05). RaCe EVO group, showed no significant difference between the 3 subgroups (p > 0.05). Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images revealed typical features of cyclic fatigue behavior in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term cooling application for 5 seconds on superelastic NiTi files showed an enhanced cyclic fatigue resistance.
