Bending resistance of conventional NiTi and M-wire endodontic instruments: A comparative study

Abstract

This study evaluated and compared the bending resistance of rotary endodontic instruments made of conventional nickel-titanium (NiTi) and M-wire by means of cantilever bending test. The flexibility of an endodontic instrument depends on its chemical composition and the thermo mechanical treatment of the alloy, as well as on its cross-sectional geometry on the helical shaft of the endodontic instrument. The results showed that the Profile Vortex instruments, made from NiTi wires called M-wire, had the greatest bending resistance (lowest flexibility), while RaCe instruments, produced from conventional NiTi wires showed the lowest bending resistance (greatest flexibility) among the instruments tested.