A first step towards the detection of damage processes in endodontic Ni-Ti alloy files, using acoustic emission

Despite major instrumental developments over the last decade, endodontic files are still not infallible. It is well known that NiTi rotary files can break without any visible sign of deformation. Instrument breakage under combined flexion-torsion loading is still common in clinical practice. Unfortunately, breakage of this type of instrument mainly occurs in narrow canals, through pinching in the apical region. When such an incident occurs, the endodontist must adopt a debris retrieval strategy that is both stressful and not guaranteed success. This study proposes a new method for experimental damage detection leading to the fracture of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy endodontic files. It is based on the acoustic emission (AE) technique and mechanical parameters measured in real-time and image analysis. It has been shown that the AE results correlate with the damage observations and torque and force measurements recorded during the tests. Having carried out numerous root canal treatment on resin blocks, it appears that this new detection and analysis technique can be used to analyze and anticipate the first signs of damage leading to endodontic file failure. The technological development of such a method, at the level of the engine itself, associated with the act in service procedure, would constitute a revolution in the field of endodontics.