The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between intentionally induced internal stress and cyclic fatigue failure of .06 taper ProFile.

Length 25 mm, .06 taper ProFile (Dentsply Maillefer), and size 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 were used in this study. To give the internal stress, the rotary NiTi files were put into the .02 taper, Endo-Training-Bloc (Dentsply Maillefer) until auto-stop by torque controlled motor. Rotary NiTi files were grouped by the number of induced internal stress and randomly distributed among one control group and three experimental groups (n = 10, Stress 0 [control], Stress 1, Stress 2 and Stress 3). For cyclic fatigue measurement, time for separation of the rotary NiTi files was recorded. The fractured surfaces were observed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM, SU-70, Hitachi). The time for separation was statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and post-hoc Scheffe test at 95% level.

In .06 taper ProFile size 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40, there were statistically significant difference on time for separation between control group and the other groups (p < 0.05).

In the limitation of this study, cyclic fatigue failure of .06 taper ProFile is influenced by internal stress accumulated in the files.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the cyclic fatigue of a K3 file and internal stress intentionally induced until the activation of the auto-stop function of the torque-controlled motor.

K3 (Sybron Endo) .04 and .06 taper, size 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 were used in this study. To give the internal stress, the K3 files were put into the .02 taper Endo-Training-Bloc (Dentsply Maillefer) until the activation of the auto-stop function of the torque-controlled motor. The rotation speed was 300 rpm and torque value was 1.0 N·cm. K3 were grouped by the number of induced internal stress and randomly distributed to 4 experimental groups (n = 10, Stress 0 [control], Stress 1, Stress 2 and Stress 3). For measuring the cyclic fatigue failure, the K3 files were worked against a sloped glass block and time for file separation was recorded. Data was statistically analyzed Statistical analyses were performed using two-way ANOVA and Duncan post-hoc test at p < 0.05 level.

Except .04 taper size 30 in Stress 1 group, there were statistically significant differences in time for file separation between control and all experimental groups. K3 with .04 taper showed higher cyclic fatigue resistance than those of .06 taper.

In the limitation of this study, the cyclic fatigue of the K3 file was influenced by the accumulated internal stress from use until the auto-stop function was activated by the torque-controlled motor. Therefore, clinicians should avoid the reuse of the K3 file that has undergone auto-stops.