Influence of Thermomechanical Treatment on the Mechanical Behavior of Protaper Gold versus Protaper Universal (A Finite Element Study)

AIM: To compare and evaluate the influence of thermomechanical treatment of Protaper Gold file versus Protaper Universal file during testing of bending and torsion using finite-element analysis. METHODS: Two nickel-titanium NiTi rotary files (ProTaper Gold and ProTaper Universal) were used in this study. The files were imaged using stereomicroscope to produce 3D models. The behaviour of the instrument during bending and torsion was numerically analysed in CAD/CAM software package. RESULTS: Under bending, ProTaper, Gold showed higher flexibility and flexural resistance than ProTaper Universal. The highest stress was related at the cutting edge of both files. While during testing of torsion, the maximum amount of stresses was related to the base of the flutes in both files. ProTaper Gold showed higher torsional resistance than the ProTaper Universal file. CONCLUSION: Thermomechanical treatment improved the mechanical response (bending and torsional resistance) of NiTi files.