Abstract
Introduction: To evaluate a finite element method for analyzing the torsional strength of Reciproc and Reciproc Blue, comparing the results with those obtained from an in vitro test based on ISO 3630-1 standards.
Materials and Methods: Reciproc and Reciproc Blue (n=10) were tested under torsion by ISO 3630-1 to determine maximum torsional torque (N.cm) and the angle at which the instruments failed (°). The mean values from these tests were used to simulate torsion via finite element analysis on virtual models of the instruments. Data from the in vitro torsion tests were analyzed using the student’s t-test, with a significance level set at 5%. One-tailed and two-tailed t-tests were employed to compare the angular deflection profiles with finite element analysis predictions.
Results: The maximum torsional torque and rotation angle for Reciproc were 1.4 N.cm and 224.4°, while for Reciproc Blue, they were 1.38 N.cm and 306.5°. Significant differences were observed between Reciproc Blue and Reciproc only in the rotation angles (P<0.05). Finite element analysis showed rotation angles of 216.4° for Reciproc and 310.2° for Reciproc Blue, with Reciproc Blue exhibiting a significantly larger rotation angle (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between the in vitro ISO torsion tests and finite element analysis results (P>0.05). Conclusion: The finite element method developed in this study accurately predicted the angular deflection of the instruments and produced results consistent with the ISO 3630-1 in vitro torsion tests.