Water jet as a novel technique for enamel drilling ex vivo.

To investigate the usage of a water jet for enamel drilling ex vivo, 210 individual extracted molars without lesions or fillings were collected. Then, the specimens were drilled by a water jet or a high-speed dental drill. The cavities of 50 teeth were reconstructed digitally by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to measure the height and width. The cavities of 10 teeth were longitudinally incised and their surfaces were observed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). After the cavities were filled, 50 fillings were vertically incised. The bonding interface between tooth and filling was observed by SEM. 50 teeth with fillings were stained in 0.1% rhodamine B solution, and then the dye penetration between tooth and filling was observed under the stereomicroscope and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The bonding strength between enamel and filling of 50 teeth was simulated and predicted with finite element analysis (FEA). At 140-150 MPa and for 2-3 s, cavities were made with a depth of approximately 764 µm in each tooth. SEM showed the cavity surface in the water jet group had a more irregular concave and convex structure than that in the high-speed dental drill group. There was a trend that the microleakage and bonding width was smaller in the water jet group than in the high-speed dental drill group. FEA indicated that the stress on the resin surface was greater than on the enamel surface in the water jet group. Compared with the tooth drilled by a high-speed dental drill, the tooth drilled by a water jet gained better retention of the filling material and suffered less bonding strength on the enamel surface. Water jet drilling is effective for enamel drilling.

Comparación bacteriana de 30 piezas de alta velocidad antes y después de ser utilizadas en la facultad de odontología, Región Veracruz / Bacterial comparison of 30 high speed handpieces before and after being used at the school of dentistry, Veracruz Region

Introducción: en los procedimientos odontológicos se está expuestoa gran cantidad de microorganismos y las intervenciones clínicas provocan un contacto directo o indirecto con éstos, ya sea a través del instrumental, equipo odontológico contaminado con saliva, sangre, exudados, etcétera. Por esta razón debe tomarse en cuenta el tipo de contaminación de las piezas de mano por ser parte del equipo de uso cotidiano para realizar tratamientos odontológicos. Objetivos generales:Determinar la carga bacteriana en las piezas de alta velocidad antes y después de su uso en diferentes clínicas de la Facultad de Odontologíade la UV Región Veracruz. Metodología: Investigación transversal, descriptiva y observacional. Material y métodos: Se seleccionaron al azar 30 piezas de mano de los estudiantes de la Universidad Veracruzana Facultad de Odontología Región Veracruz, a las cuales se tomó una muestra con un hisopo de algodón antes y después de su uso en la práctica dental. Se realizaron cultivos con las muestras obtenidas que se observaron durante tres días seguidos bajo microscopio para comprobar la presencia de colonias bacterianas. Resultados: De las30 piezas antes de ser utilizadas se detectó Bacillus grampositivos en24 por ciento de las muestras; en 20 por ciento Bacillus gramnegativos, en 6 por ciento Streptobacillus gram-positivos; en 20 por ciento Staphylococcus grampositivos; en 3 por ciento Cocobacillus gramnegativos y en 22 por ciento Actinomyces gramnegativos. El restante 2 por ciento no reveló unidades formadoras de colonias (UFC). En un segundo muestreo, 33 por ciento desarrolló Bacillus grampositivos, 10 por cientoBacillus gramnegativos, 20 por ciento adquirió Sthapylococcus grampositivos, 3 por ciento Sthapylococcus gramnegativo y 34 por ciento no reveló UFC. Conclusión:En el primer muestreo se detectaron microorganismos en 98% de laspiezas de mano, mientras que en el segundo muestreo 66% se contaminócon microorganismos y en 34% no se observó contaminación.

Introduction: dental activity is exposed to a lot of microorganisms,and clinical interventions have a direct or indirect contact with them.Whether through the instruments, dental equipment contaminatedwith saliva, blood, etc; so you should take into account the type ofcontamination of handpieces for being the most widely used equipmentfor dental treatment. General Objectives: Determine the bacterialload in high-speed parts before and after being used in diff erentclinical uses in Dentistry School at UV, Veracruz. Methodology:Cross-sectional, descriptive and observational research. Materialand methods: 30 pieces of students from the Universidad VeracruzanaSchool of Dentistry, Veracruz region, which a sample was takenwith a swab to pieces before and after use in dental practice wererandomly selected. Cultures with samples obtained observedduring three days in a row microscope to determine the presenceof bacterial colonies were made. Results: Of the 30 pieces beforebeing used 24% of Bacillus Gram-positive samples were found; 20%Bacillus Gram-negative, Gram-positive Streptobacillus 6%; 20%Gram-positive Staphylococcus, 3% developed Coccobacillus Gramnegativeand 22% Gram negative Actinomyces. The remaining 2%no colony forming units development (UFC). In a second sampling;33% developed Bacillus Gram-positive, Gram-negative Bacillus10%, 20% obtained Sthapylococcus Gram-positive, Gram-negativeSthapylococcus 3% and 34% did not develop colony forming unit(CFU). Conclusion: In the first sampling 98% of the pieces were microorganism growth, while in the second 66% and the presence ofmicroorganisms obtained 34% no development.

[Monitoring steam sterilisation processes in the dental office]. / Het monitoren van stoomsterilisatieprocessen in de mondzorgpraktijk.

In dental offices, steam sterilisation is used to sterilise instruments and in that way to prevent the cross-contamination of patients and the dental team. In order to ensure that the sterilisation process has been executed successfully, every sterilisation process has to be monitored. The monitoring of every load in the steam steriliser is necessary and often even required, either directly (by legislation) or indirectly (by harmonised standards). The complete monitoring protocol consists of controls of the installation, the exposure, the loading, the packaging and, finally, the 'track and trace' of the instruments. For examining the installation, a steam penetration test, such as the Bowie and Dick test, can be carried out.

Designed experiment evaluation of key variables affecting the cutting performance of rotary instruments.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Laboratory studies of tooth preparation are often performed under a limited range of conditions involving single values for all variables other than the 1 being tested. In contrast, in clinical settings not all variables can be tightly controlled. For example, a new dental rotary cutting instrument may be tested in the laboratory by making a specific cut with a fixed force, but in clinical practice, the instrument must make different cuts with individual dentists applying a range of different forces. Therefore, the broad applicability of laboratory results to diverse clinical conditions is uncertain and the comparison of effects across studies is difficult. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 9 process variables on dental cutting in a single experiment, allowing each variable to be robustly tested over a range of values for the other 8 and permitting a direct comparison of the relative importance of each on the cutting process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The effects of 9 key process variables on the efficiency of a simulated dental cutting operation were measured. A fractional factorial experiment was conducted by using a computer-controlled, dedicated testing apparatus to simulate dental cutting procedures and Macor blocks as the cutting substrate. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to judge the statistical significance (α=.05). RESULTS: Five variables consistently produced large, statistically significant effects (target applied load, cut length, starting rpm, diamond grit size, and cut type), while 4 variables produced relatively small, statistically insignificant effects (number of cooling ports, rotary cutting instrument diameter, disposability, and water flow rate). CONCLUSIONS: The control exerted by the dentist, simulated in this study by targeting a specific level of applied force, was the single most important factor affecting cutting efficiency. Cutting efficiency was also significantly affected by factors simulating patient/clinical circumstances as well as hardware choices. These results highlight the importance of local clinical conditions (procedure, dentist) in understanding dental cutting procedures and in designing adequate experimental methodologies for future studies.

Performance of single-use and multiuse diamond rotary cutting instruments with turbine and electric handpieces.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: As single-use rotary cutting instruments and electric handpieces become more available, the performance of these instruments with electric as compared to turbine handpieces requires evaluation. In addition, if rotary cutting instruments marketed as single-use instruments are used for multiple patients, the effects on their performance of cleaning, sterilization, and repeated use are of interest to the clinician. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate how the cleaning, autoclaving, and repeated use of single-use and multiuse rotary cutting instruments, with either a turbine or electric handpiece, affected their performance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The effects on cutting performance of 2 handpieces (turbine and electric), 2 cleaning and sterilization conditions (cleaned and autoclaved versus noncleaned and nonautoclaved), and 6 different diamond rotary cutting instruments (4 single-use and 2 multiuse) during simulated tooth preparations were evaluated by using a 24-treatment condition full-factorial experimental design. A computer-controlled dedicated testing apparatus was used to simulate the cutting procedures, and machinable glass ceramic blocks were used as the cutting substrate for tangential cuts. In addition, for each treatment condition, 8 consecutive cuts, for a total of 192 cuts, were measured to assess the durability of the rotary cutting instruments. A linear mixed model was used to study the effect of instrument type, handpiece, cleaning, and sterilization, as well as the status and number of cuts on the outcome variables. The Tukey honestly significant difference test was used for the post hoc pairwise comparisons (α=.05). RESULTS: Performance, as measured by the rate of advancement, decreased with the repeated use of rotary cutting instruments (P<.001), while cleaning and sterilization procedures improved the average performance of the 8 cuts (P=.002). The electric handpiece showed a greater load than the turbine (P<.001) and a lower rate/load metric, but no differences in the rate of advancement. Significant differences were also detected among the different rotary cutting instruments tested with the Two Striper, which showed the highest cumulative performance of all groups. CONCLUSIONS: The repeated use of both single-use and multiuse rotary cutting instruments decreased cutting performance. The use of a cleaning and sterilization procedure between cuts improved the average cutting performance. During a tangential cutting process, although the ease of advancement (rate/load) was greater for the turbine, the electric handpiece did not produce a statistically different cutting rate.

Changes in the cutting efficiency of different types of dental diamond rotary instrument with repeated cuts and disinfection.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Cutting efficiency is one of the most important factors to consider when a specific dental diamond rotary instrument is selected. However, the selection of a dental diamond rotary instrument is based on clinical experience rather than any scientific evidence. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify how the cutting efficiency of different types of dental diamond rotary instrument changed with repeated cuts and disinfection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four types of diamond rotary instrument from 2 dental manufacturers (Shofu, Jin Dental) were investigated with a high-speed air-turbine handpiece. The groups were as follows: S cham group (n=10): chamfer design from Shofu; J cham group (n=10): chamfer design from Jin Dental; S thin group (n=10): thin tapered design from Shofu; J thin group (n=10): thin tapered design from Jin Dental. Changes in the cutting efficiency of diamond rotary instruments on glass ceramic blocks were measured after repeated cuts. Changes in cutting efficiency also were measured for 30 diamond rotary instruments, the same type as those used in group J cham after disinfection with ethylene oxide gas, immersion in solution, or autoclaving. One-way ANOVA, 2-way ANOVA, and repeated-measures ANOVA were used to identify differences in cutting efficiency, in total cutting efficiency, and change trend in cutting efficiency (α=.05). The Tukey honestly significant difference method was used for the post hoc tests. The principal metal components of the diamond rotary instruments were detected with x-ray spectrometry. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) total cutting efficiency after 10 cuts in the 4 groups was in the following order: J cham group (0.210 ± 0.064 g/min) > S cham group (0.170 ± 0.064 g/min) > J thin group (0.130 ± 0.042 g/min) > S thin group (0.010 ± 0.040 g/min) (P<.05).The decrease in the cutting efficiency was greatest after the first cut. The cutting efficiency was not influenced by repeated disinfection. CONCLUSION: The cutting efficiencies of diamond rotary instruments with different designs and particle sizes showed a decreasing trend after repeated cuts but did not show any change after various disinfecting procedures.

Effect of the spray pattern, water flow rate, and cutting position on the cutting efficiency of high-speed dental handpieces.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the spray pattern, water flow rate, and cutting position on the cutting efficiency of high-speed dental handpieces. One- and three-port high-speed handpieces were selected. Cutting efficiency (mm/s) in different cutting positions was evaluated in vitro on machinable ceramic underwater flow rates of 15, 25, and 35 mL/min. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in cutting efficiency for the various cutting positions and flow rates. The authors recommend multiport handpieces with a flow rate greater than 30 mL/min for use in clinical practice, especially during groove cutting.

Coolant effectiveness in dental cutting with air-turbine handpieces.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a strategy for evaluating coolant effectiveness and to compare typical cooling conditions used in dental cutting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A test system comprising a resistive heat source and an array of four type K thermocouples was used to compare the cooling effectiveness of air alone, water stream alone, and an air-water spray, as delivered by representative air-turbine handpieces. Mean temperature change at the four sites was recorded for a range of water flow rates in the range 10 to 90 mL min(-1), with and without air, and with and without the turbine running. The thermal resistance of the system, R, was calculated as the temperature change per watt (KW(-1)). RESULTS: For wet cooling (water stream and air-water spray), R was 5.1 to 11.5 KW(-1), whereas for air coolant alone the range was 18.5 to 30.7 KW(-1). R for air-water spray was lower than for water stream cooling at the same flow rate. CONCLUSIONS: The thermal resistivity approach is a viable means of comparative testing of cooling efficacy in simulated dental cutting. It may provide a reliable means of testing handpiece nozzle design, thus enabling the development of more efficient cooling.

An in vitro comparison of Profile GT and GTX nickel-titanium rotary instruments in apical transportation and length control in mandibular molar.

INTRODUCTION: Profile GT files have been redesigned and are now marketed as GTX nickel-titanium rotary files. METHODS: A double-digital radiographic technique was used to compare apical transportation (AT) and change in working length (CWL) between Profile GT and GTX rotary files. Mesiobuccal canals of 40 extracted mandibular molars were instrumented by either rotary system. The central axes of preoperative (15 K) and master apical rotary file (30/.04) were digitally superimposed. AutoCAD was used to measure AT at 0, 1, and 3 mm from WL. The distance from the file tip to the set WL indicated any CWL. Analysis of variance test showed no significant differences between groups in AT. RESULTS: CWL in GTX (-0.25 +/- 0.42) group was significantly greater than in Profile GT group (0.17 +/- 0.30). CONCLUSIONS: The AT results indicate that the newly designed GTX rotary instruments are as effective as the older Profile GT instruments.

Evaluation of cyclic flexural fatigue of M-wire nickel-titanium rotary instruments.

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to investigate cyclic flexural fatigue resistance of GT series X rotary files made from the newly developed M-wire nickel-titanium alloy compared with GT and Profile nickel-titanium files made from a conventional nickel-titanium alloy. METHODS: Fifteen files, size 30/0.04, of each type were used to evaluate the cyclic flexural fatigue resistance. A simple device was specifically constructed to measure the time each file type required to fail under cyclic flexural fatigue testing. RESULTS: The results of this experiment indicated that the GT series X files had superior cyclic flexural fatigue resistance than the other 2 file types made from a conventional nickel-titanium alloy (P = .004). On the other hand, the difference between the Profile and the GT files was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that size 30/0.04 nickel-titanium rotary files made from the newly developed M-wire alloy have better cyclic flexural fatigue resistance than files of similar design and size made from the conventional nickel-titanium alloy.

Comparison of cutting efficiencies between electric and air-turbine dental handpieces.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Dentistry is gravitating toward the increased use of electric handpieces. The dental professional should have sufficient evidence to validate the switch from an air-turbine handpiece to an electric handpiece. However, there is little research quantifying the cutting efficiency of electric and air-turbine handpieces. Studies that do quantify cutting efficiency typically do so with only a single material. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the cutting efficiency of an electric handpiece and an air-turbine handpiece, using various materials commonly used in dentistry. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven materials: Macor (machinable glass ceramic), silver amalgam, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, high noble metal alloy, noble metal alloy, and base metal alloy, were each cut with a bur 220 times; 110 times with an electric handpiece, and 110 times with an air-turbine handpiece. The weight difference of the material was calculated by subtracting the weight of the material after a cut from the weight of the material before the cut. The cutting efficiency was calculated by dividing the weight difference by the duration of the cut (g/s). Data were analyzed by a 2-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test (alpha=.05). RESULTS: The electric handpiece cut more efficiently than the air-turbine handpiece (F=3098.9, P<.001). In particular, the high noble metal alloy, silver amalgam, and Macor were cut more efficiently with the electric handpiece (0.0383 +/-0.0002 g/s, 0.0260 +/-0.0002 g/s, and 0.0122 +/-0.0002 g/s, respectively) than with the air-turbine handpiece (0.0125 +/-0.0002 g/s, 0.0142 +/-0.0002 g/s, and 0.008 +/-0.0002 g/s, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The electric handpiece is more efficient at cutting various materials used in dentistry, especially machinable glass ceramic, silver amalgam, and high noble alloy, than the air-turbine handpiece.

In vitro comparison of the cutting efficiency and temperature production of 10 different rotary cutting instruments. Part I: Turbine.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Standards to test the cutting efficiency of dental rotary cutting instruments are either nonexistent or inappropriate, and knowledge of the factors that affect their cutting performance is limited. Therefore, rotary cutting instruments for crown preparation are generally marketed with weak or unsupported claims of superior performance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the cutting behavior of a wide selection of rotary cutting instruments under carefully controlled and reproducible conditions with an air-turbine handpiece. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten groups of rotary cutting instruments (n=30) designed for tooth preparation were selected: 9 diamond rotary cutting instruments (7 multi-use, 2 disposable) and 1 carbide bur. One bur per group was imaged with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at different magnifications. Macor blocks (n=75) were used as a substrate, and 4 cuts were made on each specimen, using a new rotary cutting instrument each time, for a total of 300 cuts. The cuts were performed with an air-turbine handpiece (Midwest Quiet Air). A computer-controlled, custom-made testing apparatus was used to monitor all sensors and control the cutting action. The data were analyzed to compare the correlation of rotary cutting instrument type, grit, amount of pressure, cutting rate, revolutions per minute (rpm), temperature, and type of handpiece, using 1-way ANOVA and Tukey's Studentized Range test (alpha=.05). RESULTS: Compared to the baseline temperature, all rotary cutting instruments showed a reduction of temperature in the simulated pulp chamber. The Great White Ultra (carbide bur) showed a significantly higher rate of advancement (0.15 mm/s) and lower applied load (106.46 g) and rpm (304,375.97). CONCLUSIONS: Tooth preparation with an adequate water flow does not cause harmful temperature changes in the pulp chamber, regardless of rotary cutting instrument type. The tested carbide bur showed greater cutting efficiency than all diamond rotary cutting instruments.

Angular deflection of rotary nickel titanium files: a comparative study.

A new manufacturing method of twisting nickel titanium wire to produce rotary nickel titanium (RNT) files has recently been developed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the new manufacturing process increased the angular deflection of RNT files, by comparing instruments produced using the new manufacturing method (Twisted Files) versus instruments produced with the traditional grinding process. Testing was performed on a total of 40 instruments of the following commercially available RNT files: Twisted Files (TF), Profile, K3 and M2 (NRT). All instruments tested had the same dimensions (taper 0.06 and tip size 25). Test procedures strictly followed ISO 3630-1. Data were collected and statistically analyzed by means ANOVA test. The results showed that TF demonstrated significantly higher average angular deflection levels (P<0.05), than RNT manufactured by a grinding process. Since angular deflection represent the amount of rotation (and consequently deformation) that a RNT file can withstand before torsional failure, such a significant improvement is a favorable property for the clinical use of the tested RNT files.

Effectiveness of high speed instrument and air abrasion on different dental substrates.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of high speed (HS) and air abrasion (AA) instruments on groups of teeth (deciduous, permanent, bovine), in terms of preparation time, topography and presence of smear layer. Each group consisted of 5 teeth that had their buccal/lingual surfaces prepared by using either HS or AA. All procedures were standardized and timed. The teeth were then sectioned and prepared for evaluation of both the topography and the presence of smear layer by scanning electron microscopy. As regards preparation time, HS yielded preparations 1.5 times quicker than AA did on the three types of dental substrates (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.05). In both techniques (Kruskal-Wallis Test, p < 0.05) the preparation time was influenced by the dental substrate, particularly in deciduous teeth (Mann-Whitney test with Bonferoni's correction, p < 0.017), which required a longer preparation time. In the descriptive analysis of the topography, no difference was found between the substrates. Nonetheless, the different instruments used determined distinctive topographies. Both techniques produced a smear layer (chi2 McNemar, p > 0.05) in all substrates, but with different formations. In conclusion, the HS instrument was found to be more rapid than the AA. No difference was found between the three dental substrates as regards both the topography and the presence of smear layer. The differences found in the present study were only in relation to the effects of each instrument used.

Cavity preparation machine for the standardization of in vitro preparations.

Several in vitro studies employ the confection of cavity preparations that are difficult to standardize by means of manual high speed handpieces. This study presents the development of a cavity preparation machine designed to standardize in vitro cavity preparations. A metal base of 25 mm x 25 mm x 4 mm (length x width x height) was coupled to a small mobile table which was designed to be able to move by means of two precision micrometers (0.01-mm accuracy) in the horizontal directions (right-left, and back-front). A high speed handpiece was coupled to a metallic connecting rod which had an accurate dial indicator enabling control of the vertical movement. The high speed handpiece is also able to move 180 degrees around its longitudinal axis and 360 degrees around its transversal axis. The suggested cavity preparation machine precisely helps in the standardization of cavity preparations for in vitro studies.

Effectiveness of high speed instrument and air abrasion on different dental substrates

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of high speed (HS) and air abrasion (AA) instruments on groups of teeth (deciduous, permanent, bovine), in terms of preparation time, topography and presence of smear layer. Each group consisted of 5 teeth that had their buccal/lingual surfaces prepared by using either HS or AA. All procedures were standardized and timed. The teeth were then sectioned and prepared for evaluation of both the topography and the presence of smear layer by scanning electron microscopy. As regards preparation time, HS yielded preparations 1.5 times quicker than AA did on the three types of dental substrates (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.05). In both techniques (Kruskal-Wallis Test, p < 0.05) the preparation time was influenced by the dental substrate, particularly in deciduous teeth (Mann-Whitney test with Bonferoni's correction, p < 0.017), which required a longer preparation time. In the descriptive analysis of the topography, no difference was found between the substrates. Nonetheless, the different instruments used determined distinctive topographies. Both techniques produced a smear layer (÷2 McNemar, p > 0.05) in all substrates, but with different formations. In conclusion, the HS instrument was found to be more rapid than the AA. No difference was found between the three dental substrates as regards both the topography and the presence of smear layer. The differences found in the present study were only in relation to the effects of each instrument used.

Cavity preparation machine for the standardization of in vitro preparations

Several in vitro studies employ the confection of cavity preparations that are difficult to standardize by means of manual high speed handpieces. This study presents the development of a cavity preparation machine designed to standardize in vitro cavity preparations. A metal base of 25 mm x 25 mm x 4 mm (length x width x height) was coupled to a small mobile table which was designed to be able to move by means of two precision micrometers (0.01-mm accuracy) in the horizontal directions (right-left, and back-front). A high speed handpiece was coupled to a metallic connecting rod which had an accurate dial indicator enabling control of the vertical movement. The high speed handpiece is also able to move 180° around its longitudinal axis and 360° around its transversal axis. The suggested cavity preparation machine precisely helps in the standardization of cavity preparations for in vitro studies.

Influence of number of dental autoclave treatment cycles on rotational performance of commercially available air-turbine handpieces.

The influence of number of autoclave treatment cycles (N) on rotational speed and total indicated run-out of commercially available air-turbine handpieces from five manufacturers was investigated at N=0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 cycles, and the significance in the test results was assessed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test. Some air-turbine handpieces showed the significant differences in rotational speed at N=300 cycles, however, the decreases of the rotational speeds were only 1 to 3.5 percent. Some air-turbine handpieces showed the significant differences in total indicated run-out, however, the respective values were smaller than that at N=0 cycle. Accordingly, it can be considered that the ball bearing in the air-turbine handpieces is not affected significantly by autoclave. To further evaluate rotational performance, this study focused on the rotational vibration of the ball bearing components of the air-turbine, as measured by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis; the power spectra of frequency of the ball's revolution, frequency of the cage's rotation and frequency of the ball's rotation were comparatively investigated at N=0, 150 and 300 cycles, and the influence of autoclave was evaluated qualitatively. No abnormalities in the ball bearings were recognized.