Evaluation of selected mechanical properties of NiTi rotary glide path files manufactured from controlled memory wires

This study aimed to investigate mechanical properties related to flexibility and fracture resistance of controlled memory wire-manufactured nickel-titanium rotary glide path files [HyFlex EDM Glide Path File (EDM) and HyFlex GPF (GPF)]. Scout RaCe (RaCe) served as control. Bending loads, torsional/cyclic fatigue resistance, and screw-in forces were measured. EDM showed a significantly larger torque at fracture, a longer time to cyclic fracture in reciprocation and a larger screw-in force compared with GPF and RaCe. GPF showed significantly lower bending loads and higher angular deflection values than EDM and RaCe, and a significantly longer time to cyclic fracture than RaCe. The time to cyclic fracture was significantly longer in reciprocation compared with continuous rotation in EDM and GPF. It can be concluded that EDM and/or GPF showed higher flexibility and cyclic/torsional fatigue resistance compared with RaCe; and that reciprocation conferred better cyclic fatigue resistance to EDM and GPF.