Back to Search Start Over

Study of the effects of thermal nitriding surface modification of nickel titanium rotary instruments on the wear resistance and cutting efficiency.

Study of the effects of thermal nitriding surface modification of nickel titanium rotary instruments on the wear resistance and cutting efficiency.

Authors :
UEI-MING LI
YU-CHIH CHIANG
WEN-HSIN CHANG
CHIH-MING Lu
YONG-CHWANG CHEN
TAT-MING LAI
CHUN-PIN LIN
Source :
Journal of Dental Sciences; Jun2006, Vol. 1 Issue 2, p53-58, 6p
Publication Year :
2006

Abstract

Although the introduction of nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloy into endodontic files has greatly transformed the methods of root canal instrumentation in the past decade, instrument separation is still a serious concern owing to a lack of wear resistance and improper operation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of thermal nitriding surface modification of NiTi instruments on the wear resistance and cutting efficiency. In total, 25 ProFile 0.04 taper instruments were divided into 5 groups: 2 control groups and another 3 experimental groups that were subjected to thermal nitriding surface modification by treatment under 3 different conditions of 200, 250, and 300 °C. All instruments were used to make preparations in 100 acrylic endodontic training blocks. These blocks were weighed to calculate differences in weight before and after preparation. After being autoclaved, each instrument was observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results indicated that nitrogen ions were successfully introduced onto the surface of NiTi instruments. The presence of a titanium nitride (TiN) layer gave the instruments a gold appearance. Samples in the experimental groups showed increased wear resistance and cutting efficiency compared to the controls. The same results were also indicated by the SEM observations. Thermal nitriding surface treatments of NiTi rotary instruments produced higher wear resistance at a reasonable cost. It is well worth further developing this surface treatment for clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19917902
Volume :
1
Issue :
2
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Journal of Dental Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
48495445