Diamondlike Carbon Surface Treatment Improves the Fatigue Resistance of Ultrasonic Tips

Emmanuel J. N. L. Silva, Bruno M. Crozeta, Jorge N. R. Martins, Thiago Moreira, Victor T. L. Vieira, Francisco Manuel Braz-Fernandes, Marco A. Versiani

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare E1-Irrisonic (Helse Ultrasonics, Ocoee, FL) and Irri Black (Helse Ultrasonics), a novel ultrasonic tip with diamondlike carbon treatment, regarding their design, metallurgy, microhardness, bending resistance, and time to fracture under the oscillatory fatigue test. Methods: A total of 17 E1-Irrisonic and 17 Irri Black new ultrasonic tips were selected. The tip geometry and surface finishing were assessed using scanning electron microscopy. The elemental composition was defined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Hardness Knoop was calculated using a microhardness tester. The maximum load required to displace the instrument in 45° was recorded in gram/force, oscillatory fatigue was measured in seconds at the moment of instrument fracture, and the size of the separate fragments was determined in millimeters. The Student t test was used for statistical comparison (α = 5%). Results: Scanning electron microscopic analyses revealed that E1-Irrisonic had a flat end tip, whereas a noncutting rounded tip was observed in Irri Black. The surface of E1-Irrisonic was smoother than Irri Black, which was irregular. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analyses showed that the elemental compositions of the E1-Irrisonic and Irri Black tips were consistent with stainless steel and titanium-aluminum alloys, respectively. Irri Black showed significantly higher bending load resistance, time to fracture under oscillatory motion, and hardness Knoop than the E1-Irrisonic tip (P <.05), whereas the length of fragments was similar (P >.05). Conclusion: Diamondlike carbon treatment improved hardness Knoop and reduced the flexibility of the Irri Black ultrasonic tip, improving its time to fracture under oscillatory motion compared with the nontreated E1-Irrisonic tip.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)301-306
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Endodontics
Volume49
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2023

Keywords

  • Bending resistance
  • diamond-like carbon coating
  • endodontics
  • fatigue resistance
  • metallurgical characteristics
  • ultrasonic tips

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