Effect of Cryogenic Treatment on Cyclic Fatigue of Nickel-titanium Rotary Files

Abstract Objective: This study sought to assess the effect of cryogenic treatment on cyclic fatigue of Neoniti and Reciproc nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary files. This in vitro, experimental study was performed on 48 Neoniti and Reciproc NiTi rotary files (#25, 6% taper) in two subgroups with and without cryogenic treatment. The files in cryogenic subgroups were stored in liquid nitrogen chamber at -196°C for 24 h. Next, they were placed at room temperature (25°C) to gradually warm up. Stainless steel (SS) blocks were used to standardize the degree of rotation of the files. The SS blocks simulated a root canal with the negative pattern of gutta-percha with 0.08 taper, #25 tip size, and 45° canal curvature. Each endodontic file was rotated in this canal until fracture. The time until fracture was recorded by a digital chronometer. Time to fracture was used to calculate the number of rotations before file fracture as the cyclic fatigue scale. Results: The mean cyclic fatigue resistance of both Neoniti and Reciproc rotary files in cryogenic subgroups was significantly higher than that in non-cryogenic control subgroups (P<0.05). Cryogenic treatment can significantly increase the cyclic fatigue resistance of Neoniti and Reciproc NiTi rotary files.