Comparison of cyclic fatigue resistance of used and new RaCe instruments

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate cyclic fatigue resistance of used and new RaCe rotary nickel-titanium instruments. Study design. Forty RaCe (FKG Dentaire, La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) instruments of sizes 30/.06, 30/.02, 25/.04, and 25/.02 were selected and divided into 2 groups: group A = 20 new instruments; group B = 20 used instruments. In group B, each instrument was used for shaping 5 curved molar root canals. Cyclic fatigue testing of new and used instruments was performed using a device that allowed the instruments to rotate freely inside a stainless steel artificial canal. Data were analyzed using t test to determine any statistical significance between used and new instruments of the same file size. Results. For all sizes, new instruments were more resistant to failure then the used ones (P < .05). A reduction in lifespan was observed ranging from 18% (30/.06) to 51% (25/.02). Conclusion. The results showed that clinical use significantly reduced cyclic fatigue resistance of RaCe rotary instruments compared with new ones. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 109: e131-e134)