Mechanical behaviour of nickel-titanium rotary endodontic instruments in simulated clinical conditions : a computational study

Aim  To develop an accurate finite element (FE) model for studying rotary endodontic instruments and to demonstrate the usefulness of the FE method in improving the knowledge of the mechanical behaviour of these instruments during root canal preparation. Methodology  An accurate geometrical model of a Ni-Ti ProTaper F1 instrument was created. The interaction between the rotating instrument and differently shaped root canals during the insertion and removal procedure was studied using FE analyses. The complex thermo-mechanical behaviour of the Ni-Ti alloy was reproduced using an ad hoc computational subroutine. With the aim of demonstrating the enhanced performance of the shape memory alloy employment, the same analysis was performed on a ‘virtual’ ProTaper F1 made of stainless steel. Results  The Ni-Ti instrument operated in its pseudo-elastic range and was able to recover its original shape and to follow the canal curvature without deviation. The radius and the position of the canal curvature are the most critical parameters that determined the stress in the instrument with higher stress levels being produced by decreasing the radius and moving from the apical to the mid root position. Conclusions  The most demanding working conditions were observed in canals with sharp curves, especially in areas where the instruments had larger diameters. To prevent possible damage to instruments and fracture, it is advised that the instruments should be discarded following their use in such canals.