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Mechanism of fracture of NiTi superelastic endodontic rotary instruments

  • Biomaterials Synthesis and Characterization
  • Original Research
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Abstract

The aim is to investigate the premature catastrophic fracture produced for different periods during clinical endodontic treatment of two brands of NiTi endodontic rotary instruments. 3 samples as-received, 6 samples used with patients for 2 and 7 h and 5 samples fractured were studied for each brand of endodontic NiTi rotary instruments. Transformation temperatures (Ms, Mf, As and Af) and enthalpies of transformation were determined by calorimetry. Critical stresses until fracture (σβ→SIM, σSIM→β) were obtained using an electromechanical testing machine. The samples were also visualized by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Calorimetric studies have shown an increase of the Ms and As transformation temperatures with time of use as well as a decrease of their stress transformations. Moreover, reverse transformation enthalpies decreased along the time. The enthalpies of transformation decreased because martensitic plates were anchored, which prevented their transformation to austenite; thus losing its superelastic effect. The stabilisation of the martensitic plates induced the collapse of the structure and so the main cause for the fracture. The heat treatment proposed has been increased the life in service of NiTi superelastic endodontic instruments recovering theirs superelastic effect.

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Acknowledgements

Authors acknowledge the Spanish Government for Financial Support through project MAT2015-67183-R (MINECO/FEDER, UE), MAT2015-67103-C4-3-R (MINECO/FEDER, UE) and the Government of Catalonia [2017SGR1165].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain

    Javier Gil

  2. Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering Group, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona, Spain

    Elisa Rupérez & José María Manero

  3. Faculty of Odontology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain

    Eugenio Velasco

  4. MDRCBB—Minnesota Dental Research Center for Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Department of Restorative Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Conrado Aparicio

Authors
  1. Javier Gil
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  2. Elisa Rupérez
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  3. Eugenio Velasco
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  4. Conrado Aparicio
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  5. José María Manero
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Correspondence to Javier Gil.

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The authors deny any conflicts of interest. We affirm that we have no financial affiliation (e.g., employment, direct payment, stock holdings, retainers, consultant ships, patent licensing arrangements or honoraria), or involvement with any commercial organization with direct financial interest in the subject or materials discussed in this manuscript, nor have any such arrangements existed in the past.

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Gil, J., Rupérez, E., Velasco, E. et al. Mechanism of fracture of NiTi superelastic endodontic rotary instruments. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 29, 131 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-018-6140-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-018-6140-7

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