Comparative Analysis of Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of NeoEndo Flex Vs Protaper Gold Rotary Files: An In-Vitro Study

Abstract

Background: During the endodontic process, cleaning and shaping are essential steps. The fracture of nickel-titanium (NiTi) tools is a procedural issue that significantly impedes therapy in normal endodontic therapy. Efficient and reliable endodontic therapy requires rotary NiTi files that demonstrate superior cyclic fatigue resistance to prevent file separation within the canal. This study aimed to investigate the in-vitro cyclic fatigue resistance of two commonly used rotary NiTi files: NeoEndo Flex file and ProTaper Gold file. Methods: The cyclic fatigue tests were carried out by determining the lifespan of each file type in a controlled environment mimicking a curved root canal. A total of 30 files (15 NeoEndo Flex and 15 ProTaper Gold) were subjected to continuous rotation until fracture occurred. The numbers of cycles until failure (NCF) were recorded for statistical comparison. Results: The ProTaper Gold files showed significantly higher NCF, indicative of stronger cyclic fatigue resistance when compared to NeoEndo Flex files (p < 0.05). The variance in fatigue resistance is attributable, in part, to differences in alloy composition and proprietary heat treatment processes. Conclusion: ProTaper Gold rotary NiTi files exhibited enhanced cyclic fatigue resistance in comparison to NeoEndo Flex, suggesting that they may be the preferred choice for clinical procedures where greater stresses are anticipated on the file. However, clinicians should balance file strength with other clinical factors when choosing the appropriate file for endodontic treatment.