Effect of Immersion in Sodium Hypochlorite on Torque and Fatigue Resistance of Nickel-Titanium Instruments

This study investigated the effect of immersion in sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on torque and fatigue resistance of two nickel-titanium files. Size 25 .04 ProFile and RaCe files were immersed in 5.25% NaOCl for 1 or 2 hours at temperatures of 21°C and 60°C. Torque and angle at failure were measured according to ISO 3630-1. Resistance to cyclic fatigue was determined by counting rotations to breakage in a 90° curve with a 5-mm radius. Data were analyzed by 2-way analysis of variance. Torsional resistance of both rotaries was not significantly affected by immersion in NaOCl, except after 2 hours of immersion at 60°C. Resistance to cyclic fatigue decreased significantly for ProFile and RaCe instruments after immersion in NaOCl. Spontaneous fractures occurred in 28 of 160 files during immersion in NaOCl. In conclusion, nickel-titanium rotaries have reduced resistance to cyclic fatigue after contact with heated NaOCl and may then be considered single-use instruments.