Torsional behaviour of Reciproc and Reciproc blue instruments associated with their martensitic transformation temperatures.

Abstract

To compare the martensitic transformation temperatures and torsional resistance behaviour of classic M-Wire Reciproc and Reciproc blue files (VDW, Munich, Germany). M-Wire classic Reciproc R25 and Reciproc blue R25 instruments were used. Transformation temperatures were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC-DSC 60, Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan). Three samples with approximately 20mg of each system were cooled to -120°C and then heated to 100°C and then cooled to -100°C at a rate of 10°Cmin-1 . The maximum torque values and angular deflection until fracture of new instruments (n=10) were measured according to ISO 3630-1. Results were analysed statistically using the Student's t-test at a significance level of P<0.05. DSC results revealed the absence of martensitic transformation for Reciproc instruments in the temperature range analysed. In both systems, the instruments were composed of a mixture of R-phase and austenite at room temperature. After torsional tests, Reciproc blue had significantly lower values for mean maximum torque at rupture (P<0.05), although the angular deflection values were significantly higher than the Reciproc classic group (P<0.05). Both Reciproc and Reciproc blue instruments were composed of a mixture of R-phase and austenite. Reciproc Blue instruments had a greater angle of rotation to fracture but a lower torque to failure than M-Wire Reciproc instruments.