Assessment of the Mechanical Properties of ProTaper Next Nickel-Titanium Rotary Files

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to compare the torsional resistance, flexibility, and surface microhardness of ProTaper Next files (PTN) with Twisted Files (TF) and RaCe (RC).

Methods

A metal block with a cubical hole was used to evaluate the torsional resistance. Five millimeters of the tip of each file was securely held in place by filling the mold with a resin composite, and the files were driven clockwise at 300 rpm. The number of load applications before fracture was recorded for each file. A scanning electron microscope was used to characterize the topographic features of the fracture surfaces of the broken files. The files were tested for bending resistance by using cantilever-bending test. Vickers microhardness was measured on the cross section of instruments with 300-g load and 15-second dwell time. Torsional resistance data were analyzed by using the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Bending resistance and microhardness data were analyzed by using analysis of variance and Tukey tests.

Results

PTN showed the highest torsional resistance and microhardness, followed by RC (P < .05). The fracture cross sections of all brands showed dimpling near the center of fracture surface. The ranking in the bending resistance values was as follows: RC > PTN > TF.

Conclusions

PTN improved its resistance to torsional stresses and wear compared with TF and RC. TF showed improved flexibility compared with other tested brands.