doi:10.1111/iej.
12613
REVIEW
Movement kinematics and cyclic fatigue of NiTi
rotary instruments: a systematic review
F. Ferreira, C. Adeodato, I. Barbosa, L. Aboud, P. Scelza & M. Zaccaro Scelza
Department of Endodontics, Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Niteroi, Brazil
Abstract
Ferreira F, Adeodato C, Barbosa I, Aboud L, Scelza P,
Zaccaro Scelza M. Movement kinematics and cyclic fatigue
of NiTi rotary instruments: A systematic review. International
Endodontic Journal, 50, 143–152, 2017.
The aim of this review was to provide a detailed analy-
sis of the literature concerning the correlation between
different movement kinematics and the cyclic fatigue
resistance of NiTi rotary endodontic instruments. From
June 2014 to August 2015, four independent review-
ers comprehensively and systematically searched the
Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus
and Google Scholar databases for works published since
January 2005, using the following search terms:
endodontics; nickel–titanium rotary files; continuous
rotation; reciprocating motion; cyclic fatigue. In addi-
tion to the electronic searches, manual searches were
performed to include articles listed in the reference sec-
tions of high-impact published articles that were not
indexed in the databases. Laboratory studies in English
Introduction
The introduction of nickel–titanium (NiTi) instru-
ments to clinical endodontic practice has improved
the mechanical preparation of the root canal space
(de Melo Ribeiro et al. 2013), avoiding problems asso-
ciated with stainless steel instruments, such as ledges,
zips, perforations and root canal transportation
(Peters 2004).
Correspondence: Miriam Zaccaro Scelza, 30 Mario Santos
Braga Street, Centro, Niteroi, RJ 24020-140, Brazil
(Tel.: + 55 21 999840270; e-mail: scelza@terra.com.br).
© 2016 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
language were considered for this review. The elec-
tronic and manual searches resulted in identification of
75 articles. Based on the inclusion criteria, 32 articles
were selected for analysis of full-text copies. Specific
analysis was then made of 20 articles that described
the effects of reciprocating and continuous movements
on cyclic fatigue of the instruments. A wide range of
testing conditions and methodologies have been used
to compare the cyclic fatigue resistance of rotary
endodontic instruments. Most studies report that recip-
rocating motion improves the fatigue resistance of
endodontic instruments, compared to continuous rota-
tion, independent of other variables such as the speed
of rotation, the angle or radius of curvature of simu-
lated canals, geometry and taper, or the surface char-
acteristics of the NiTi instruments.
Keywords: continuous rotation, cyclic fatigue,
endodontics, nickel–titanium rotary files, reciprocating
motion.
Received 13 August 2015; accepted 23 January 2016
There are many reports on the ability of rotary
instruments to maintain a satisfactory canal shape
and shorten the duration of preparations (Loizides
et al. 2007). Another advantage of NiTi rotary instru-
ments, compared to stainless steel hand files, is that
preparations are rounder and centred in the canal,
helping to maintain the original root canal anatomy
(Bergmans et al.2001). However, use of rotary instru-
ments involves significantly more rotations inside the
canal, so they are more susceptible to fracture due to
torsion and/or flexion (Pasqualini et al. 2008).
Torsional fatigue occurs when the tip of the instru-
ment binds in the root canal whilst the file continues
to turn (Peters & Barbakow 2002). Flexural fatigue
International Endodontic Journal, 50, 143–152, 2017 143
 Kinematics and cyclic fatigue of NiTi instruments Ferreira et al.
develops when the instrument rotates inside a
curved root canal over an excessive number of
tension–compression strain cycles in the region of
maximum curvature (Pruett et al. 1997, Sattapan
et al. 2000).
To increase the fracture resistance of rotary NiTi
files, manufacturers have introduced the use of recip-
rocating motion and instruments made from new
alloys, such as the M-wire and R-phase NiTi files,
whose cyclic fatigue resistance is reportedly higher
than that of conventional files (Gao et al. 2010,
Bhagabati et al. 2012). In reciprocating motion, the
instrument rotates in one direction and then reverses
direction before completing a full rotary cycle (Yared
2008, Wan et al. 2011).
The efficiency of reciprocating motion has been
compared with continuous rotation in terms of the
time required to prepare a curved root canal, the cut-
ting efficiency and cyclic fatigue resistance (Plotino
et al. 2015). However, there continues to be debate
concerning the relative merits of continuous or
reciprocating movements and their effects on cyclic
fatigue.
The aim of this review is to provide a detailed
analysis on the correlation between movement
kinematics and the cyclic fatigue resistance of NiTi
instruments, considering the levels of safety of the
different movement protocols used during root canals
procedures.
Review
Search methodology
Between June 2014 and August 2015, four indepen-
dent researchers comprehensively searched the Med-
line (PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus and
Google Scholar databases for laboratory studies (in
English language) published since January 2005,
using the search terms: endodontics; nickel–titanium
rotary files; continuous rotation; reciprocating
motion; cyclic fatigue. The search was supplemented
by examining the citations of relevant articles on the
subject.
The electronic and manual searches resulted in the
identification of 75 articles. The abstracts were first
screened to eliminate articles that clearly failed to
meet the search criteria. Full-text copies of the
remaining articles were then printed and examined to
establish whether the inclusion criteria were met. The
articles were required to describe associations between
144 International Endodontic Journal, 50, 143–152, 2017
reciprocating or continuous movements and the cyclic
fatigue of the instruments. The present review was
then based on 20 selected articles (Fig. 1).
Literature review
The literature review was organized into two sections:
(i) kinematics of movement and instrument fracture;
and (ii) comparative studies using continuous rotation
and reciprocating motion. In Section (ii), only studies
that included analysis of both reciprocating motion
and continuous rotation are considered. The types of
movement investigated in the studies are shown in
Table 1. The characteristics of the materials and the
testing conditions are provided in Table 2.
Kinematics of movement and instrument fracture
The fracture of instruments used in continuous
rotary motion has been attributed to torsional stress
or cyclic fatigue (Yared 2004, Parashos & Messer
2006). Cyclic fatigue occurs when the instrument
does not bind in the canal but rotates freely in a
curvature whilst being subjected to repeated cycles
of tension and compression, which disintegrates its
structure and consequently leads to fracture (Peters
2004, Parashos & Messer 2006, Gambarini et al.
2008). Cyclic fatigue primarily occurs in acutely
curved canals with short radii of curvature (Pruett
et al. 1997), where the instrument experiences
increased tension/compression during rotation at the
point of greatest curvature. Dederich & Zakariasen
(1986) considered this the leading cause of NiTi
instrument failure, with metal fatigue and subse-
quent breakage being potential problems associated
with the use of 360° rotary instruments in curved
canals.
Mechanical stress of NiTi files is mainly reported to
occur because of the root canal curvature and dentine
hardness (Mesgouez et al.2003), but it is also related
to cyclic fatigue and to the torque of the motor dur-
ing root canal preparation (Pruett et al. 1997, Yared
et al.2000).
Continuous cycles of traction and compression in
curved canals are reported to increase the cyclic fati-
gue and fracture of endodontic files (Melo et al. 2002,
Zelada et al. 2002, Pessoa et al. 2013).
The relationship between cyclic fatigue and the
dynamics of the forces exerted by NiTi rotary files on
root canals during experimental canal preparation
has been poorly discussed. Previous reports have
reported that dynamic pecking motion tests are the
© 2016 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
 Ferreira et al. Kinematics and cyclic fatigue of NiTi instruments

Search Basis Search Terms

Medline (Pubmed) Endodontics
Embase Nickel-titanium rotary files
Web of Science Continuous rotation
Scopus Reciprocating motion
Google Scholar Cyclic fatigue
Supplementary references
Manual searches

75 records after duplicates

removed

75 records screened 26 records excluded

49 full-text copies examined

and considered for the Main Text

32 articles selected by the including criteria

constituting the basis of the Review

20 articles included in a qualitative synthesis

comparing both reciprocating and continuous
movements to cyclic fatigue of the instruments

Figure 1 Study design. Overview of the search methodology and selection criteria used in the systematic review.

most suitable for cyclic fatigue investigations when
using rotary NiTi files, as static tests are not able to
reproduce the real conditions faced in clinical practice
such as automated instrumentation systems (Yared
et al. 2000, Pessoa et al. 2013).
These systems have been designed to prepare root
canals in motion with specific torque and speed val-
ues prolonging the life span of the files by reducing
the maximum stress on their surfaces caused by the
continuous tension used in static motion models
(Kawakami et al. 2015). The pecking amplitude pro-
vides a time interval before the instruments are once
again subjected to the highest stressed area. Accord-
ing to Li et al. (2002), the pecking motion may be a
fundamental factor in preventing the fracture of NiTi
rotary files to the extent that it minimizes the stress
on files in curved canals, decreasing the chance of
fracture.
Reciprocating movement NiTi instruments have
been developed as a means of increasing performance
and safety. In the technique proposed by Yared
(2008), the NiTi rotary instrument used to prepare
canals rotates in clockwise (CW) and counterclock-
wise (CCW) directions using rotations of four-tenths
and two-tenths of a circle, respectively, and a rota-
tional speed of 400 rpm.
The lower stress induced by reciprocating motion
enables dentists to use a single NiTi instrument to
prepare the entire root canal (De-Deus et al. 2010).
Reciprocating motion can provide several possibilities
for movements and angles, each of which may influ-
ence performance and failure resistance (Gambarini
et al. 2012a,b). The original Giromatic handpiece
(Micro-Mega, Besancßon, France) and the M4 motor
(SybronEndo, Orange, CA, USA) had the same CW
and CCW angles, whilst the Tecnika motor (ATR, Pis-
toia, Italy), which was originally used by Yared
(2008), features a specific reciprocating movement
with a CW angle that is approximately twice as large
as the CCW angle. The movements and angles for the

© 2016 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd International Endodontic Journal, 50, 143–152, 2017 145
 Kinematics and cyclic fatigue of NiTi instruments Ferreira et al.

Table 1 Types of movement investigated Switzerland), are not disclosed by the manufacturers
Continuous
(Plotino et al. 2012). Unlike traditional NiTi rotary
and instruments, manufacturers suggest ideal speeds and
References Continuous Reciprocating reciprocating torques for these instruments, although clinicians often
Arslan *
modify the values (Gambarini et al. 2012a,b). The per-
et al. (2015) formance and resistance of NiTi instruments are deter-
Elsaka & * mined by the operational speed and torque (Gambarini
Elnaghy 2001), with the movement kinematics significantly
(2015)
influencing cyclic fatigue and the lifespan of the instru-
Karatas *
et al. (2016)
ment. Differences amongst various reciprocating
Gambarini * motions, involving the speed of rotation and angle of
et al. (2015) curvature of simulated or ex vivo canals, can affect both
da Frota * performance and safety (Gambarini et al. 2012a,b).
et al. (2014)
Dagna *
et al. (2014)
Comparative studies using continuous rotation and
Vadhana * reciprocating motion
et al. (2014) During the last 5 years, a wide range of rotary
Campbell * endodontic instruments originally produced to operate
et al. (2014)
in continuous rotation have been tested using differ-
Kiefner *
et al. (2014)
ent reciprocating motions, comparing their lifespans
Nguyen * after use. A great variety of testing conditions, with
et al. (2014) different speeds, angles and radii of curvature of the
Pedulla
* simulated canals and testing set-ups, whether static
et al. (2013)
or dynamic, have been used.
rez-Higueras
Pe *
et al. (2013)
Using both reciprocating and continuous motion,
Lee et al. (2013) * You et al. (2010) analysed the lifespans of NiTi rotary
Rubini * files during the preparation of curved root canals of
et al. (2013) extracted molars, using a sequence of ProTaperâ SX,
Gambarini *
S1, S2, F1 and F2 files (Dentsply Maillefer) in contin-
et al. (2013)
Gambarini *
uous rotation, and a ProTaper F2â instrument in
et al. (2012a) reciprocating motion. An extended lifespan was
Gambarini * observed for the reciprocating motion ProTaper F2â
et al. (2012b) file, which could be safely used to the working length
Plotino *
of curved canals at least six times.
et al. (2012)
Kim et al. (2012) *
De-Deus et al. (2010) evaluated the cyclic fatigue
Gavini * fracture resistance of the originally continuous rota-
et al. (2012) tion ProTaper F2â instrument, used under reciprocat-
Castello -Escriva
 * ing motion in an artificial canal constructed in a
et al. (2012)
stainless steel tube, with rotation speeds of 250 and
Wan et al. (2011) *
De-Deus *
400 rpm in a static testing device. It was found that
et al. (2010) the reciprocating motion significantly extended the
You et al. (2010) * cyclic fatigue life of the instrument, compared to con-
Yao et al. (2006) * ventional rotation. It was concluded that the move-
Total 4 1 20
ment kinematics influenced the resistance of rotary
[Correction added on 24 October 2016, after first online publi- NiTi instruments to cyclic fracture.
cation: the types of movement investigated in the studies Wan et al. (2011) assessed the cyclic fatigue resis-
have been modified.].
tance of several continuous rotation NiTi endodontic
instruments, K3 (SybronEndo Corp.), ProFile and GT
most widely used commercially available reciprocating Series X (Dentsply Maillefer), as well as a SafeSidersâ
instruments, Reciprocâ (VDW GmbH, Munich, Ger- (Essential Dental Systems, South Hackensack, NJ,
many) and WaveOneâ (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, USA) reciprocating instrument. The cyclic fatigue test-

146 International Endodontic Journal, 50, 143–152, 2017 © 2016 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
 Ferreira et al. Kinematics and cyclic fatigue of NiTi instruments

Table 2 Instruments and testing conditions

Angles (Ө) and radii

of curvature (R) of
Instruments and brands simulated canals Model Setup References
âa âb
Reciproc R25 ; OneShape Ө – 60° Static Karatas et al.
R – 3 mm
SS K-filesâc; PathFilesâc Ө – 60° Static Gambarini et al.
R – 5 mm
Reciproc R25âa; WaveOneâ Primary Filesc; Ө – 45° Static da Frota et al.
ProTaper Universal F2âc; Mtwoâa R – 5 mm
OneShapeâb; Reciproc R25âa; WaveOne Ө – 60° and R – 8 mm Static Dagna et al.
Primary Filesâc; ProTaper F2âc Ө – 45° and R – 8 mm
Ө – 60° and R – 5 mm
Ө – 45° and R – 5 mm
Mtwoâa; RaCeâd Ө – 60° Static Vadhana et al.
R – 5 mm
Typhoonâ TYPe; Typhoon CMâe Ө – 46° Static Campbell et al.
R – 9.5 mm
Mtwoâa; Reciprocâa Ө – 60° Dynamic Kiefner et al.
R – 5.0 mm
ProTaper Nextâ X1–X5c; ProTaper Ө – 90° Static Nguyen et al.
Universalâ S1–F5c; Vortex Blueâf R – 5 mm
Reciprocâa; WaveOneâc; Mtwoâa; Twisted Fileâg Ө – 60° Static
et al.
Pedulla
R – 5 mm
K3âh; K3XFâg; NiTi R-phase 30/.06g; Ө – 60° Static rez-Higueras et al.
Pe
Twisted Fileâ 30/.06g R – 3 mm
ProTaper F2â with convex triangular cross-sectionc; Ө – 60° Dynamic Lee et al.
ProFile with triple U-shaped cross-sectionc R – 3 mm
Hyflexâ 40/.04h Ө – 51° Static Rubini et al.
R – 5 mm
K3XFâg Ө – 60° Static Gambarini et al.
R – 3 mm
K3XFâg Ө – 60° Static Gambarini et al.
R – 5 mm
Twisted Fileâg Ө – 60° Static Gambarini et al.
R – 3 mm
Reciproc 25âa; WaveOne Primary Filesâc Ө – 60° Static Plotino et al.
R – 5 mm
ProTaper F2âc; WaveOneâc; Reciproc 25âa Ө – 45° Static Kim et al.
R – 6.06 mm
Reciproc 25âa R – 5 mm Dynamic Gavini et al.
Ө – 40°
ProTaper F2c; WaveOneâc; Twisted Filesâg R – 8 mm/ Static  -Escriva
Castello  et al.
Ө – 45°
R – 8 mm/
Ө – 60°
R – 5 mm/
Ө – 45°
R – 5 mm/
Ө – 60°
K3âi; ProFileâi; GT Series X Rotaryâi; SafeSidersâi Ө – 45°, 60° Static Wan et al.
R – 5 mm
ProTaper F2âc Ө – 45°, 60° Static De-Deus et al.
R – 5 mm

ing was conducted in artificial stainless steel canals set-up. The results revealed that the SafeSidersâ lifes-
with 30° and 45° angles of curvature and 5 mm and pan was longer than that of the continuous rotation
7.5 mm radii of curvature under a static testing instruments.

© 2016 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd International Endodontic Journal, 50, 143–152, 2017 147
 Kinematics and cyclic fatigue of NiTi instruments Ferreira et al.
Table 2 Continued
Instruments and brands
â
ProTaper Files SX, S1, S2, F1, F2 c
ProFilesâc; K3sâ 25/.04, 25/.06, 40/.04,
40/.06g; RaCe 25/.04, 25/.06d
Manufacturers: aVDW GmbH, Germany; bMicro-Mega SA, France; cMaillefer Dentsply, Switzerland; dFKG Dentaire SA, Switzerland;
e
Clinician’s Choice Dental Products, USA; fDentsply, USA; gSybronEndo Corp., USA; hColte
tial Dental Systems, Inc., USA.
Castell
o-Escriva et al. (2012) examined the fatigue
resistance of size 25, .08 taper ProTaperâ F2,
WaveOneâ and Twisted Filesâ instruments under
different movement kinematics. The instruments were
rotated according to the manufacturers’ recommenda-
tions, using an electric handpiece, in four curved stain-
less steel canals with different angles and radii of
curvature (60° angle and 8 mm radius, 45° angle and
8 mm radius, 60° angle and 5 mm radius, and 45°
angle and 5 mm radius) constructed in a static testing
device. The study found that the reciprocating motion
used for the WaveOneâ files extended the cyclic fatigue
life, compared to the conventional rotary movement
used for the Twisted Fileâ and ProTaperâ files.
Gavini et al. (2012) evaluated the resistance to cyc-
lic flexural fatigue of Reciprocâ R25 files used in con-
tinuous rotation or reciprocating motion, employing a
dynamic assay device operated at 300 rpm to pro-
duce a pecking motion to simulate a clinical testing
condition in a curved root canal with 40° angle and
5 mm radius of curvature. The reciprocating motion
improved the flexural fatigue resistance of the Reci-
proc R25 file, compared to continuous rotation.
Kim et al. (2012) compared the ProTaperâ F2 in its
recommended continuous rotation mode with the
Reciprocâ and WaveOneâ reciprocating files, which
were also operated using the recommended motions,
both tested under a custom-made static device. The
results showed that the NCF (number of cycles to
fracture) of the Reciprocâ was higher than those of
the other files, and both reciprocating files demon-
strated significantly higher cyclic fatigue resistance
than the ProTaperâ F2 file.
Gambarini et al. (2012a) tested different types of
movement kinematics for NiTi rotary Twisted Fileâ
instruments. Some of the instruments were used in
continuous rotation at a constant 300 rpm, and
others were used in reciprocating 150° CW/30° CCW
or 30° CW/150° CCW motions. For the tests, all files
148 International Endodontic Journal, 50, 143–152, 2017
Angles (Ө) and radii
of curvature (R) of
simulated canals Model Setup References
Ө – 45°, 60° Static You et al.
R – 5 mm
Ө – 60° Dynamic Yao et al.
R – 5 mm

ne/Whaledent AG, Switzerland; iEssen-
were rotated until fracture in a simulated canal with
angle of curvature of 60°, radius of curvature of
3 mm and width of 1.5 mm under static testing con-
ditions. The findings showed that the reciprocating
motion could extend the cyclic fatigue life of the size
25, .08 taper Twisted Fileâ instruments, compared to
conventional rotation. [Correction added on 24 Octo-
ber 2016, after first online publication: Gambarini et
al. (2012b) has been deleted from the first sentence of
this paragraph.].
Gambarini et al. (2012b) investigated the cyclic
fatigue resistance of K3XFâ instruments tested using
different reciprocation angles (90° CW/30° CCW,
150° CW/30° CCW, 210° CW/30° CCW and 390°
CW/30° CCW) and in continuous rotation. All instru-
ments were operated at 300 rpm in an artificial metal
canal with 60° angle of curvature, 5 mm radius of
curvature and 1.5 mm width and were subjected to
cyclic fatigue testing in an static set-up apparatus
until fracture. For all the angles tested, the use of
reciprocating motion increased the fatigue resistance,
compared to conventional rotary motion. [Correction
added on 24 October 2016, after first online publica-
tion: Gambarini et al. (2013) has been changed to
Gambarini et al. (2012b) in the first sentence of this
paragraph.].
Rubini et al. (2013) investigated the cyclic fatigue
resistance of size 40, .04 taper HyFlexâ (Colt
ene/
Whaledent AG, Altst€ atten, Switzerland) NiTi instru-
ments in continuous rotation and reciprocating
motion. The cyclic fatigue tests were performed using a
stainless steel block containing an artificial canal with
a 135° angle of curvature in a static testing device. The
instruments were either rotated continuously or recip-
rocated (150° CCW/30° CW), at 300 rpm, and the
results showed that the cyclic fatigue resistance was
improved using reciprocating motion.
Lee et al. (2013) compared size 25, .06 taper
ProTaperâ F2 and size 25, .06 taper ProFileâ files,
© 2016 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

using continuous rotation or reciprocating motion
(140° CW/45° CCW) until fracture. Cyclic fatigue tests
were performed in an artificial stainless steel root canal
with a 1.5 mm inner diameter, 5 mm radius and 60°
angle of curvature under a continuous up-and-down
pecking movement to simulate a real clinical situation.
Similar cyclic fatigue resistances were obtained for
reciprocating motion and continuous rotation.
Perez-Higueras et al. (2013) compared the perfor-
mance of size 30, .06 taper Twisted Fileâ, K3â and
K3XFâ (SybronEndo Corp.) files at different speeds
and using different movement kinematics (continuous
rotation at 300 rpm or 500 rpm, and reciprocating
motion). The cyclic fatigue test was conducted in a
curved stainless steel canal (60°, r = 3 mm) under
static testing conditions until the file fractured. The
results indicated that the R-phase file, K3XFâ, was
more resistant than a conventional NiTi file under
continuous rotation, whilst reciprocating motion
increased the cyclic fatigue resistance of all the instru-
ments tested.
Pedull
a et al. (2013) compared the fatigue resis-
tances of two size 25, .06 taper files designed to oper-
ate in reciprocating motion, Reciprocâ and
WaveOneâ, in their respective ‘RECIPROC ALL’ and
‘WAVEONE ALL’ modes, as well as the size 25, .08
taper Mtwoâ (VDW GmbH) and Twisted Fileâ (Sybro-
nEndo Corp.) files, operated in their intended continu-
ous rotation modes. All tests were performed using
the same artificial canal with 60° curvature and
5 mm radius, with simulation of the size and taper of
the instruments to reproduce the same overall condi-
tions in a static movement custom-made device. The
use of reciprocating motion increased the cyclic fati-
gue resistance, and no difference was observed
between the two reciprocating modes.
Kiefner et al. (2014) tested two sizes of Mtwoâ and
Reciprocâ instruments, sizes 25 and 40, using recip-
rocating or continuous rotation inset in an up-and-
down pecking motion dynamic test aiming to simu-
late clinical conditions. The files were rotated accord-
ing to the manufacturer’s specifications in an artificial
root canal (1.4 mm diameter, 60° angle of curvature,
5 mm curvature radius) in a stainless steel block, and
improved cyclic fatigue resistance was observed for
reciprocating motion.
Vadhana et al. (2014) tested size 25, .06 taper
RaCeâ (FKG Dentaire SA, La Chaux–de–Fonds,
Switzerland) and Mtwoâ rotary files in continuous
rotation and reciprocating motion, using a static set-
up cyclic fatigue testing device with 60° angle of cur-
© 2016 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Ferreira et al. Kinematics and cyclic fatigue of NiTi instruments
vature and 5 mm radius. Both files showed extended
fatigue life under reciprocating motion.
Dagna et al. (2014) compared the cyclic fatigue
resistances of several NiTi instruments designed to
operate in reciprocating mode (OneShapeâ, Reciprocâ
25 and WaveOne Primaryâ) and the ProTaperâ F2,
which was designed to operate under continuous
rotation. The instruments were tested in curved artifi-
cial canals with different angles and radii of curvature
(60°/8 mm, 45°/8 mm, 60°/5 mm and 45°/5 mm)
in a static motion device. The results showed that the
reciprocating instruments were more resistant to fati-
gue than the traditional continuous rotation instru-
ment used in this study.
da Frota et al. (2014) compared the cyclic fatigue
resistances of reciprocating single-file systems
(WaveOneâ and Reciprocâ) and continuous rotation
instruments (ProTaperâ Universal and Mtwoâ) using
stainless steel simulated curved canals with 45° angle
of curvature and 5 mm radius of curvature con-
structed in a static testing device. The cyclic fatigue
resistance was greater for reciprocating systems than
for continuous rotary systems, irrespective of axial
displacement.
Gambarini et al. (2015) compared the cyclic fatigue
resistances of SS K-files (Dentsply Maillefer), used in
reciprocating motion, and PathFiles NiTi rotary
instruments (Dentsply Maillefer), used in continuous
rotation, in simulated artificial curved canals with
60° angle of curvature and 5 mm curvature radius
under static movement conditions. The SS 15 K-files
used in reciprocating motion showed a significantly
greater resistance to cyclic fatigue, compared to the
rotary PathFiles.
Karatas et al. (2016) analysed the cyclic fatigue
resistance of two reciprocating instruments,
OneShapeâ (Micro-Megaâ SA) and WaveOneâ, using
different reciprocating motions (150° CW/30° CCW,
210° CW/30° CCW and 360° CW/30° CCW) and
continuous rotation. All the tests employed an artifi-
cial stainless steel canal with 1.5 mm inner diameter,
60° angle of curvature and 3 mm curvature radius in
a static movement device. All the reciprocating
motions resulted in extended fatigue life, compared to
continuous rotation.
Elsaka & Elnaghy (2015) compared the cyclic fati-
gue resistance of OneShape (OS) size 25, .06 taper
instrument used in continuous rotation with
WaveOne (WO) size 25, .08 taper operated in recipro-
cating motion in simulated canals with 45°, 60° and
90° angles of curvature under a static model of test-
International Endodontic Journal, 50, 143–152, 2017 149
 Kinematics and cyclic fatigue of NiTi instruments Ferreira et al.
ing until fracture. The results showed that WO instru-
ment used in reciprocating motion had a greater
resistance to cyclic fatigue.
Arslan et al. (2015) investigated the cyclic fatigue
resistance of Reciprocâ instruments used with differ-
ent kinematics whether in reciprocating motion (150°
counterclockwise (CCW)-30° clockwise (CW), 270°
CCW-30°CW, 360° CCW-30° CW) or in continuous
rotation using a static testing set-up. All reciprocating
motions resulted in a longer mean duration to failure
compared to continuous rotation.
Conclusion
Many testing conditions and methodologies have been
used to compare the cyclic fatigue resistance of rotary
endodontic instruments. The use of reciprocating
motion can improve the mechanical properties of instru-
ments and increase fatigue resistance, compared to con-
tinuous rotation (Kim et al. 2012). However, because of
the differences amongst the various reciprocating
motions (different speeds and angles), further studies are
needed to determine the most suitable motions for root
canal treatment. An important point to consider is that
the mean time to fracture is not directly proportional to
the increase in the number of reciprocations required to
complete a full 360° rotation, probably because the
resulting speeds are not directly proportional. This
should be considered in future studies concerning the
definition and measurement of reciprocating motion
speed (Gambarini et al. 2012a,b).
To date, the findings of several studies suggest that
reciprocating motion improves the cyclic fatigue resis-
tance of instruments, compared to continuous rota-
tion, independent of other variables such as the speed
of rotation, the angle of curvature of the simulated
canal and NiTi instrument design. However, the lack
of standardization of laboratory trials remains a major
problem, because the different testing conditions pre-
clude the establishment of an unbiased scientific evi-
dence base.
Conflict of interest
The authors have stated explicitly that there are no
conflicts of interest in connection with this article.
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