Cyclic fatigue resistance, torsional resistance, and metallurgical characteristics of M3 Rotary and M3 Pro Gold NiTi files

Objectives: To evaluate the mechanical properties and metallurgical characteristics of the M3 Rotary and M3 Pro Gold files (United Dental). Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty new M3 Rotary and M3 Pro Gold files (sizes 20/0.04 and 25/0.04) were used. Torque and angle of rotation at failure (n = 20) were measured according to ISO 3630-1. Cyclic fatigue resistance was tested by measuring the number of cycles to failure in an artificial stainless steel canal (60° angle of curvature and a 5-mm radius). The metallurgical characteristics were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and the Student-Newman-Keuls test. Results: Comparing the same size of the 2 different instruments, cyclic fatigue resistance was significantly higher in the M3 Pro Gold files than in the M3 Rotary files (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between the files in the maximum torque load, while a significantly higher angular rotation to fracture was observed for M3 Pro Gold (p < 0.05). In the DSC analysis, the M3 Pro Gold files showed one prominent peak on the heating curve and 2 prominent peaks on the cooling curve. In contrast, the M3 Rotary files showed 1 small peak on the heating curve and 1 small peak on the cooling curve. Conclusions: The M3 Pro Gold files showed greater flexibility and angular rotation than the M3 Rotary files, without decrement of their torque resistance. The superior flexibility of M3 Pro Gold files can be attributed to their martensite phase

Effect of cyclic torsional preloading on cyclic fatigue resistance of ProTaper Next and Mtwo nickel–titanium instruments

Aim: To evaluate the influence of different torsional preloads on cyclic fatigue resistance of endodontic rotary instruments made by conventional nickel–titanium (NiTi) or M-Wire. Methods: Eighty new Mtwo (#25/0.06) (Sweden & Martina, Due Carrare, Padova, Italy) and ProTaper Next X2 (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) were used. The Torque and distortion angles at failure of new instruments (n = 10) were measured and 0% (n = 10), 25%, 50%, and 75% (n = 20) of the mean ultimate torsional strength as preloading condition were applied according to ISO 3630-1 for each brand. The twenty files tested for every extent of preload were subjected to 25 or 50 torsional cycles (n = 10). After torsional preloading, the number of cycles to failure was evaluated in a simulated canal with 60° angle of curvature and 5 mm of radius of curvature. Data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was performed to evaluate the fracture surface of each fragment. Results: ProTaper Next X2 reduced their cyclic fatigue after 25 or 50 cycles of every torsional preloading (25%, 50%, and 75%) (P < 0.01). Cyclic fatigue of Mtwo was reduced by 50 cycles of every torsional preloading and only after the 75% of preload for 25 cycles (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Torsional preloads reduced the cyclic fatigue resistance of M-wire and conventional (as ProTaper Next and Mtwo) NiTi rotary instruments except for Mtwo with 25% or 50% of torsional preloading

Root-end resection with or without retrograde obturation after orthograde filling with two techniques: A micro-CT study

To evaluate the filling ability of two orthograde obturation techniques followed by the apical resection with or without retrograde obturation through micro-computed tomography (CT). Thirty-two single-rooted permanent teeth were prepared and randomised into four groups (n = 8) according to the orthograde obturation technique (single cone technique [SCT] and mineral trioxide aggregate placement) combined or not with retrograde obturation. The volume of voids (VoV) within the entire endodontic space, the apical 3 mm, and 1 mm after root resection was calculated by micro-CT. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference among the groups regarding the total VoV in all root canals, as well as within the apical 1 mm after root resection. The SCT and apical resection without retrograde filling showed significantly better results in terms of VoV at the apical 3 mm after root resection. Within the study limitations, SCT associated with apical resection without retrograde preparation exhibited a similar or less amount of voids than the other groups

Metallurgical characterization of Reciproc and Reciproc Blue Ni-Ti instruments

Reciproc and Reciproc Blue files are composed of the same NiTi alloy but they undergo different thermal treatment. The Reciproc Blue show a titanium oxide superficial layer as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and are more flexible than Reciproc M-Wire due to their different thermal treatment. The smaller and denser grains of Reciproc Blue files are responsible for the different transition temperatures of the two instruments

Modification induced by laser irradiation on physical features of plastics materials filled with nanoparticles

The Thermal Laser Welding (TLW) process involves localized heating at the interface of two pieces of plastic that will be joined. Polymeric materials of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), both pure and containing nanostructures at different concentrations (titanium and silver nanoparticles), were prepared as thin foils in order to produce an interface between a substrate transparent to the infrared laser wavelength and an highly absorbent substrate, in order to be welded by the laser irradiation. The used diode laser operates at 970 nm wavelength, in continuum, with a maximum energy of 100 mJ, for times of the order of 1 -60 s, with a spot of 300 μm of diameter. The properties of the polymers and of nanocomposite sheets, before and after the laser welding process, were measured in terms of optical characteristics, wetting ability, surface roughness and surface morphology

Effects of Simultaneous Liquid or Gel Sodium Hypochlorite Irrigation on the Cyclic Fatigue of Two Single-File Nickel-Titanium Instruments

To evaluate the effect of simultaneous liquid or gel sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigation on cyclic fatigue of F6 SkyTaper (F6ST) and OneCurve (OC) single files, 180 new 25/0.06 F6ST and OC files were divided into 6 groups (n = 15) for each brand. Groups 1 and 4 included new instruments not exposed to NaOCl at 20 &deg;C and 37 &deg;C, respectively. Groups 2 and 5 included files activated with liquid NaOCl at 20 &deg;C and 37 &deg;C, respectively. Groups 3 and 6 consisted of instruments tested with NaOCl gel at 20 &deg;C and 37 &deg;C, respectively. Instruments were subjected to a fatigue test using a novel customized device. Data were expressed as time to fracture (TtF) and statistically analyzed (p &lt; 0.05) after checking their normality through the Shapiro&ndash;Wilk test. Because they were normally distributed, 2-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey multiple comparison post-hoc test were used. Time to fracture of all tested instruments decreased at 37 &deg;C (p &lt; 0.05). At 20 &deg;C, NaOCl improved TtF of F6ST and OC (p &lt; 0.05). NaOCl liquid increased TtF of F6ST (p &lt; 0.05) in comparison with gel, while there was no difference between the two formulations for OC. At 37 &deg;C, both NaOCl formulations had no significant influence on TtF for F6ST, while they increased TtF of OC (p &lt; 0.05). NaOCl improved the cyclic fatigue resistance of OC, independently of the temperature, while for F6ST the negative impact of higher temperature reduced the irrigant benefits

Spinal and epidural anesthesia for laparoscopic abdominal surgery: 84 procedures

From its origins, abdominal surgery has benefited from the advantages of general anesthesia. At the end of 20th century, regional anesthesia, as well as minimally invasive surgery, made a significant appearance. Thoracic neuraxial anesthesia has been used in major abdominal surgery and in oncology, on patients who, due to cardiorespiratory problems, could not undergo GA. Given the good results obtained, the method was also applied to patients in good conditions. CESA (combined epidural and spinal anesthesia) is emerging for minimally invasive surgery. Cases of open major abdominal surgery under neuraxial anesthesia have been collected in a few centers, but none of the series was laparoscopic. This article is a series of 84 patients undergoing abdominal surgery, partly for neoplasms, operated in laparoscopy and neuraxial anesthesia. Depending on the type of intervention, especially in the intra-abdominal operating region, the anesthetic techniques were different, spinal, epidural or combined. In two cases there was a need to convert the intervention into GA. Most of the patients were classified as ASA II or III. The interventions were carried out with conscious and cooperative patients, with complete abdominal muscle relaxation. No cases required intensive postoperative care. In the COVID era, neuraxial anesthesia represents a significant opportunity to avoid the risk of respiratory contamination for the person operating anesthesia

Modification induced by laser irradiation on physical features of plastics materials filled with nanoparticles

The Thermal Laser Welding (TLW) process involves localized heating at the interface of two pieces of plastic that will be joined. Polymeric materials of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), both pure and containing nanostructures at different concentrations (titanium and silver nanoparticles), were prepared as thin foils in order to produce an interface between a substrate transparent to the infrared laser wavelength and an highly absorbent substrate, in order to be welded by the laser irradiation. The used diode laser operates at 970 nm wavelength, in continuum, with a maximum energy of 100 mJ, for times of the order of 1 -60 s, with a spot of 300 μm of diameter. The properties of the polymers and of nanocomposite sheets, before and after the laser welding process, were measured in terms of optical characteristics, wetting ability, surface roughness and surface morphology

Modification induced by laser irradiation on physical features of plastics materials filled with nanoparticles

The Thermal Laser Welding (TLW) process involves localized heating at the interface of two pieces of plastic that will be joined. Polymeric materials of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), both pure and containing nanostructures at different concentrations (titanium and silver nanoparticles), were prepared as thin foils in order to produce an interface between a substrate transparent to the infrared laser wavelength and an highly absorbent substrate, in order to be welded by the laser irradiation. The used diode laser operates at 970 nm wavelength, in continuum, with a maximum energy of 100 mJ, for times of the order of 1 -60 s, with a spot of 300 μm of diameter. The properties of the polymers and of nanocomposite sheets, before and after the laser welding process, were measured in terms of optical characteristics, wetting ability, surface roughness and surface morphology