Combining apical torsional load and cyclic fatigue resistance of NiTi instruments: New approach to determine the effective lifespan of rotary instruments

In the described proof-of-principle experiments, we introduced a novel testing device to investigate how different concurrent torsional loads influence the cyclic fatigue (CF) resistance of a nickel–titanium (NiTi) instrument. The device was designed to test CF resistance of NiTi files with a standardized load on the apical 5 mm; a movable cylinder controlled by a lever provided a uniform real-time load. Thirty-three NiTi instruments 25.04 (F360, Komet, Lemgo, Germany) were rotated until fracture at 30° curvature under three different torsional loads (n = 11 each); Group A: 2.5 Ncm; Group B: 5 Ncm; Group C: 10 Ncm. anova, multiple comparisons Tamhane tests, regression and Kaplan–Meyer analysis were performed to contrast means. Resistance to cyclic fatigue differed significantly among groups (P = 0.0001). Increased torsional loads led to a decrease in time to failure. An inverse correlation (r = −0.721, P = 0.001) was observed between time and torsional load, with higher torsional loads correlated to shorter times to fracture.