Nickel titanium instruments for RC Flashcards
What are files traditionally made from?
Made from SS
These follow a standard shape ISO
What is a taper?
The amount by which the diameter of an instrument increases from tip to handle
What is the set taper of traditional files?
2% - from each mm from the tip, the diameter of the file increases by 0.2mm
How long are the cutting flutes of all traditional files?
16mm
What are K-files? How are they formed?
Created by twisting wire to produce cutting flutes
Can be square or triangular in cross-section - get different properties
what are flexible k-files?
What are they made from?
Similar to K-files but their cross-sectional design enables them to be more flexible
SS or NiTi
What are Hedstrom files? How are they made?
Made by grinding a tapered blank
Round in cross-section with a series of cones with cutting edges
Very aggressive
Like a series of cones, aggressive, good for removing and filing dentine
What are the 2 ways traditional files are used
Watchwind-pull 30degree each way followed by a pulling action
Balanced force - 60 degrees clockwise followed by 120 degrees anti-clockwise with apical pressure
What is watch-winding used for?
Negotiating the canal and preparing the apical 1/3
What does the balanced force allow?
Fractures off dentine which have become lodged in the flutes, useful for preparing the apical 1/3
Why do we use traditional files? What are they used to do?
Used effectively to produce satisfactory canal shaping during chemomechanical canal prep
Used to negotiate canals and produce a glide-path
What are the disadvantages of SS files?
Have the tendancy to produce satisfactory canal shapes which are narrow so no irrigant gets to the apical 1/3
Become increasingly inflexible in the larger size SS
Root canals are rarely an 02 taper
The traditional prep techniques are use lots of instruments
Must be used in a reciprocating fashion
The push-pull action has the tendency to create ledges - this action also pushes debris into the canal
What is NiTi?
What does it allow?
Super-elastic metal alloy
This provides enhanced flexibility and shape
file follows the shape of the canal better - files produced with greater-taper while still retaining elasticity
What is elastic deformation?
Bend significantly and back to the original shape with no problem
What is plastic deformation?
Exceed the flexibility, wont go back to the original shape
Elastic modulus:
Exceed the elastic memory -> plastic deformation -> fracture
What are the 2 forms NiTi exists in?
Martensite and Austenite
What causes NiTi to be so flexible?
What does this mean?
The application of outer stress cases martensite to form
When the stress is released the martensite transforms back into austenite and the material returns to its original shape
NiTi can be strained several times more than ordinary metal alloys without plastic deformation
Due to the elasticity of NiTi, what does it allow?
due to the elasticity, and connection between diameter and stiffness NiTi files with 2-6x taper are possible