Mechanical Behaviour of Nickel Titanium Endodontic Files: State of the Art and Clinical Implications

Dear Colleagues,

The introduction of nickel–titanium (NiTi) instruments in endodontics has radically changed the concept of root canal preparation with predictable and reproducible results. The clinical performance of a NiTi instrument is strictly related to its mechanical properties, including but not limited to cutting efficiency, torsional moment, maximum angular deflection, maximum bending moment, and permanent angular deflection.

Despite the numerous advantages, the risk of NiTi instrument separation inside the root canal cannot be completely cancelled. Thus, in recent years, several innovations regarding design, surface, and thermal treatments have been proposed to enhance the mechanical behavior of NiTi instruments. A deep and updated knowledge of how mechanical properties of new instruments have changed is pivotal to assist the clinician in their clinical use, selecting the appropriate instrument for each anatomical condition.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to collect the most recent and novel studies on the mechanical properties of new NiTi instruments to provide clinicians with updated information on the mechanical behavior of new NiTi files. Original and review articles are all accepted.

Areas to be addressed may include but are not limited to the following:

• Evaluation of cyclic fatigue and torsional behavior with particular attention to the maximum angular deflection, maximum bending moment, permanent angular deflection, and torsional moment;
• Assessment of cutting ability and its clinical implications;
• Surface/thermoanalytical techniques to characterize the mechanical/thermal behavior of new NiTi files;
• Influence of repeated clinical use on mechanical properties of NiTi instruments.

Dr. Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa
Guest Editor

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