BASIC RESEARCH – TECHNOLOGY
Cangu€l Keskin, DDS, PhD,*
€
Ozgu €
€r S. Ozdemir, DDS,†
Kubilay Aslantasx, PhD,‡
Defne Toplu, DDS,* Ali Kelesx,
DDS, PhD,* and Ug ur Inan, DDS,
PhD*
SIGNIFICANCE
Glide path instruments are
specifically prone to torsional
and cyclic stresses because
they are the initial instruments
used in root canals with acute
apical curvatures. This study
illustrates the mechanical
properties of 2 widely used
glide path files: the R-Pilot and
the ProGlider.
From the *Department of Endodontics,
Faculty of Dentistry, Ondokuz Mayis
University, Samsun, Turkey; †Department
of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry,
Lokman Hekim University, Ankara,
Turkey; and ‡Department of Mechanical
Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Afyon
Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar,
Turkey
€l
Address requests for reprints to Dr Cangu
Keskin, Department of Endodontics,
Faculty of Dentistry, Ondokuz Mayis
University, 55400 Samsun, Turkey.
E-mail address: canglkarabulut@gmail.
com
0099-2399/$ - see front matter
Copyright © 2021 American Association
of Endodontists.
https://doi.org/10.1016/
j.joen.2021.09.002
1924 Keskin et al.
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Static Cyclic Fatigue
Resistance in Abrupt Curvature,
Surface Topography, and
Torsional Strength of R-Pilot
and ProGlider Glide Path
Instruments
ABSTRACT
Introduction: This study aimed to compare ProGlider (Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues,
Switzerland) and R-Pilot (VDW, Munich, Germany) instruments in terms of their cyclic fatigue
resistance using an artificial stainless steel canal showing an abrupt apical curvature, torsional
resistance according to the ISO specification, and topographic changes on the instrument
surface after glide path management in mesial canals of mandibular first molars with the
abrupt curvature selected based on their micro–computed tomographic examination.
Methods: Eighty instruments were used: 40 ProGlider (size 0.16, .02v taper) and 40 R-Pilot
(size 0.125, .04 taper) instruments. The cyclic fatigue resistance was tested in a static test
model using an artificial canal with an abrupt apical curvature (angle of curvature of 90 and
radius of curvature of 2 mm). The torsional resistance test was performed according to ISO
3630-1 specifications. To determine surface topography of the unused and used instruments,
mesial root canals of mandibular molars with an abrupt apical curvature were selected to
prepare a glide path with either the ProGlider or R-Pilot instrument. An optical profilometer and
scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the surface properties. Normally
distributed torsional and cyclic resistance data were analyzed using the Student t test,
whereas quantitative data obtained by the optical profilometer were analyzed with the
Kruskal-Wallis H test with a 5% significance threshold. Results: The R-Pilot showed
significantly higher cyclic fatigue and torsional resistance than the ProGlider (P , .05). Angular
deflection values were similar between instruments (P , .05). Measurements made from the
blade area showed that the surface roughness values of the ProGlider were larger. Cutting
blade measurements showed that unused instruments had significantly greater roughness
values than used ones (P , .05). Although there was a 14% increase between the blade edge
radii of the used and unused R-Pilot instruments, this difference was determined as 61% in
ProGlider instruments. Conclusions: The R-Pilot exhibited greater cyclic fatigue strength
than the ProGlider when tested in an artificial canal with an inner diameter of 1.0 mm and an
abrupt apical curvature. Torsional resistance of the R-Pilot was higher than the ProGlider, but
the angular deflection values were similar. Glide path preparation in a mesial root canal with an
abrupt apical curvature did not increase the surface roughness of both instruments but
resulted in a greater blade edge radius. (J Endod 2021;47:1924–1932.)
KEY WORDS
Abrupt curvature; nickel-titanium; topographic analysis; torque
The glide path is described as a smooth and funnel-shaped passageway from the orifice to the apical
foramen. It may be present naturally or created preshaping depending on the canal anatomy and has
recently been classified as micro- and macro-dimensions1–3. The glide path is considered a crucial part of
JOE  Volume 47, Number 12, December 2021
root canal treatment because the preparation
of a macro–glide path has been associated
with better preservation of the original canal
anatomy and a reduced instrument fracture
rate4,5. The glide path may be prepared either
manually or using engine-driven nickel-titanium
(NiTi) instruments with small dimensions
produced for glide path management
specifically3,6. The use of engine-driven NiTi
glide path instruments has been indicated to
be superior to manual preparation in terms of
reduced iatrogenic mishaps, being less
dependent on operator experience, and a
reduced rate of postoperative pain7–9.
The ProGlider (Dentsply Sirona,
Ballaigues, Switzerland) is manufactured from
memory NiTi wire (M-Wire) and operates with
continuous rotation. The instrument has a
quadrangular cross section, a tip diameter of
0.16-mm and a progressive variable taper
between 2% and 8%10. The completion of a
full rotation with consecutive counterclockwise
and clockwise partial rotations has been
proposed as a reciprocating rotation motion to
avoid the taper lock phenomenon2, which is
commonly encountered by glide path
instruments. Therefore, recent glide path
instruments were designed for reciprocation
motion, such as the R-Pilot (VDW, Munich,
Germany) instrument, which has a 0.12-mm
tip diameter with a constant 4% taper and an
S-shaped cross section11.
Glide path instruments are the initial NiTi
instruments introduced into the narrow,
calcified canals or canals showing acute
curvatures along their pathways. Therefore,
they frequently encounter flexural, torsional,
and cyclic stresses12,13. Torsional failure
occurs in narrow and/or calcified canals when
the instrument’s tip is screwed into the dentin
and at the same time the shank continues to
rotate. Torsional failure has been emphasized
as the most common failure type for glide path
instruments2,13,14. In addition to torsional
stresses, abrupt curvatures are not
uncommon at the apical third, which can be
underdiagnosed by preoperative periapical
radiographs15. A recent study confirmed that
fractured reciprocating glide path instruments
showed mixed fracture types contributed by
flexural stress, torsional stress, and the
presence of apical curvatures2. Reciprocating
motion might prevent the development of
torsional failure by preventing the taper lock
effect provided by the low fracture and
deformation rates reported in this recent study.
The present study aimed to compare ProGlider
and R-Pilot glide path instruments in terms of
cyclic fatigue resistance tested in an artificial
canal with an abrupt curvature and torsional
strength. It also aimed to compare the surface
topography of the unused instruments and
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instruments used in root canals showing an
abrupt apical curvature. Therefore, the
hypotheses of this study were as follows:
1. There would be no difference in the cyclic
fatigue resistance of the R-Pilot and the
ProGlider.
2. There would be no difference in the
torsional resistance of the R-Pilot and the
ProGlider.
3. There would be no difference in the
quantitative roughness parameters of the
unused R-Pilot and ProGlider instruments
compared with the ones used for glide path
preparation in mesial root canals of
mandibular molars showing an abrupt
apical curvature.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 80 instruments (40 R-Pilot and 40
ProGlider instruments) in 25-mm length were
selected after an initial evaluation under a
stereomicroscope (SMZ 745T; Nikon, Tokyo,
Japan) at !20 magnification in terms of major
defects or deformities. None of the instruments
were discarded.
Cyclic Fatigue Test
A priori sample size calculation for the cyclic
fatigue test was performed using the effect size
of a previous study16 with means (difference
between 2 independent means, 2 groups)
from the t test family and an alpha-type error of
0.05 and a power beta of 0.95 (G*Power 3.1
for Mac; Heinrich Heine, Universit€at Dusseldorf,
Dusseldorf, Germany). The analysis showed
that at least 15 specimens per group were
required to observe the same effect.
A static cyclic fatigue test model was
constructed using a stainless steel artificial
canal with an inner diameter of 1.0 mm, an
angle of 90 , and a radius of curvature of
2 mm. R-Pilot instruments were operated in
the “Reciproc All” mode, whereas ProGlider
instruments were operated at 300-rpm speed
and 5-Ncm torque parameters (VDW Silver,
VDW) according to the manufacturers’
recommendations10,11. A synthetic oil (WD-40;
WD-40 Co Ltd, Milton Keynes, UK) was
applied to the artificial canal to reduce
instrument friction during tests. All instruments
were rotated until fracture, which was detected
visually and audibly. The time required for
fracture (TF) was measured by a 1022 seconds
chronometer, and the fractured fragment
length was measured using a digital caliper
with 1022 accuracy.
The TF and length of fragment data
showed normal distribution after Shapiro-Wilk
tests (P . .05) were analyzed using Student t
tests with the significance threshold set at
R-Pilot and ProGlider Glide Path Instruments
P , .05. Fractured surfaces were examined
using a scanning electron microscope (JSM-
7001; JEOL, Tokyo, Japan) to confirm the
fracture type.
Torsional Strength Test
Calculation of the number of samples required
beforehand for torsional strength testing was
performed as described earlier using the effect
size of a previous study14; it was concluded
that 15 samples per batch were required.
The shaft and 3 mm from the tip of the
instrument were clamped to the pieces of the
torsional test device. The torsional force was
applied counterclockwise to the R-Pilot and
clockwise to the ProGlider at 2 rpm until they
were broken. The torsional strength and the
angle of rotation at torsional failure were
measured.
For statistical comparison between the
means of the R-Pilot and ProGlider groups,
normally distributed data were analyzed using
Student t tests with a P , .05 significance
threshold. Fractured surfaces were examined
using a scanning electron microscope (JSM-
7001) to confirm the fracture type.
Surface Evaluation of Unused and
Used Instruments
The local university ethics board approved the
use of extracted human teeth to prepare glide
paths using the R-Pilot or the ProGlider in root
canals with an abrupt apical curvature
(GOKAEK-2021/11). A total of 269 mesial
roots of mandibular first molars were scanned
with a micro–computed tomographic scanner
(SkyScan 1172; Bruker micro-CT, Kontich,
Belgium) at 100 mA, 100 kV, 180 rotation, a
rotation step of 0.4 , frame average of 3, and
1400 milliseconds of exposure duration. After
data reconstruction, 3-dimensional models
were produced using CTAn (v.1.18.8) and
CTVol (v.2.3.2.0) software (Bruker micro-CT).
Eighteen root canals of 10 specimens showing
an abrupt canal curvature within the apical
2.5 mm were selected. The major and minor
diameters at the apical foramen and the length
of curvature were measured using CTAn
(Bruker micro-CT) after aligning the curved
canal portion perpendicularly to the x-axis and
parallel to the y-axis (DataViewer v.1.5.4.0
software, Bruker-microCT). Two statistically
similar groups containing 9 canals in 5
specimens were constructed in terms of apical
foramen diameters and curvature length
(Kruskal-Wallis test, P . .05). Five unused
instruments from each brand served as the
control group.
The working length of the specimens
was determined by introducing a prebent #8
K-file (Dentsply Sirona) into the canal until it
1925
FIGURE 1 – (A ) An overview of the optical profilometer. (B ) A schematic representation of the noncontact scanning of the instrument. (C ) The scanned flute, blade regions, and blade
edge radius.

1926 Keskin et al. JOE  Volume 47, Number 12, December 2021

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TABLE 1 - The Mean and Standard Deviation of Cyclic Fatigue Resistance (TF), Length of Fractured Fragments during (P . .05); however, the used ProGlider
Cyclic Testing (mm), Torsional Resistance (Ncm), and Angle of Rotation ( ) Values of the R-Pilot and the ProGlider exhibited significantly lower values (P , .05).

Time to
fracture (s)
R-Pilot 2139.6 6 33.18
ProGlider 564.5 6 31.21
could be seen in the major apical foramen
under magnification via a loupe (2.5!; Zeiss
Eyemag Smart, Oberkochen, Germany) and
subtracting 1 mm from that measurement. The
R-Pilot was operated in reciprocating motion
using the “Reciproc All” mode of the
endomotor (VDW Silver), whereas the
ProGlider was operated with continuous
rotation using the same endomotor with 300-
rpm speed and 5-Ncm torque
parameters10,11. The glide path preparation
was attempted by 3 consecutive pecking
motions with a 3-mm amplitude, and the
instruments were cleaned with moist gauze
between insertions. The canals were flushed
with 2.5 mL 5.25% sodium hypochlorite
between attempts. This procedure was
repeated 3 times in all specimens whether or
not the instrument reached the working length.
All instruments reached the working length
within 3 cycles of 3 consecutive pecking
motions, and no instrument separation
occurred.
In this study, an optical profilometer
(Nanovea Inc, Irvine, CA), which can measure
without contact, was used. The optical
profilometer used can scan both vertically and
horizontally with 0.1-mm resolution and works
with the chromatic confocal technique
(Fig. 1A). The samples were fixed on the
motorized table of the device in a horizontal
position (Fig. 1B). All samples were scanned
under the same conditions and the same
resolution. For scanning, an area of
200 ! 100 mm was taken into account, and
the surface roughness of 2 different regions
(the flute and blade) was scanned (Fig. 1C).
The measurements were repeated every
millimeter within 3 mm from the tip of the
instrument, and the arithmetic mean was
calculated. The scanning resolution was taken
as 2 mm, and scanning was performed at
2000 Hz. The data obtained from the optical
profilometer were converted into 3-
dimensional images using DigitalSurf software
(Nanovea Inc), and the surface roughness was
measured using this software. The arithmetical
mean height (Sa), the standard deviation of
heights (Sq), and the maximum height (Sz)
values were obtained for the surface
roughness of the scanned areas according to
Fragment Torsional
length resistance Angle of
(mm) (Ncm) rotation ( )
3.17 6 0.19 0.77 6 0.13 247.66 6 59.71
3.27 6 0.20 0.42 6 0.11 274.53 6 60.75
the ISO 25178 standard17. The length
between the flute and the blade edge and the
blade edge radii were also calculated.
Quantitative data were analyzed with the
Kruskal-Wallis H test with a P , .05
significance threshold.
RESULTS
The R-Pilot showed higher cyclic fatigue
resistance values than the ProGlider (P , .05).
The length of the fractured fragment did not
differ between groups (P , .05). The torsional
strength of the R-Pilot was significantly greater
than the ProGlider (P , .05), whereas the
angular rotation values were similar (P . .05)
(Table 1). Figure 2A–D reveals the scanning
electron microscopic examinations of the
fractured surfaces showing microcracks and
pits alongside the typical signs of cyclic fatigue
(striation marks) and torsional failure
(concentric abrasion marks surrounded by
dimpled areas).
The unused instruments showed similar
Sa, Sq, and Sz values measured in the flute
area (P . .05), whereas in the blade area, the
measurements showed that the Sa and Sq
values of the R-Pilot were significantly lower
(P , .05) (Fig. 3). The blade edge radius of the
unused R-Pilot (19.22 6 4.7) was significantly
greater than the unused ProGlider
(10.91 6 0.9) (P , .05). The height of the blade
from the flute was significantly greater in the
unused ProGlider (37.95 6 2.9) compared
with the unused R-Pilot (27.11 6 3.8)
(P , .05). Scanning electron microscopic
evaluation revealed the presence of machining
grooves perpendicular to the long axis of the
file and surface defects on the blade of the
unused instruments. The blade edge radius
showed no significant difference between the
used (21.39 6 1.7) and unused (19.22 6 4.7)
R-Pilot instruments (P . .05). As can be seen
in Figure 3, there is a 14% difference between
the edge radii of the unused instrument and the
used R-Pilot. However, the blade edge
diameter of the used ProGlider (17.25 6 2.8)
was significantly higher than the unused one
(10.91 6 0.9) (P , .05) with a 61% increase.
The R-Pilot showed similar flute-blade height
values between unused and used instruments
DISCUSSION
The findings of this study showed significant
differences regarding the cyclic fatigue
strength in an abrupt apical curvature and
torsional resistances of R-Pilot and ProGlider
instruments, which led to the rejection of the
first and second null hypotheses. The third null
hypothesis was accepted because of the
similarity between the surface roughness
parameters of the new and used instruments.
Laboratory studies on the mechanical
properties of NiTi instruments are mainly
limited by the presence of various confounding
factors related to instruments, which
complicate the interpretation of studies for
clinical implications, such as kinematics, alloy,
manufacturing method, surface changes, and
design features. In this study, both instruments
were made of M-Wire alloy, but the cross
sections D3-D4 of both show different nominal
diameters (D3 is the portion where the files are
clamped during the torsion tests), and fracture
occurred between D3 and D4 during the
fatigue tests. The cross-sectional shapes (S-
shape vs quadrangular), tapers, and metal
masses in the core areas, which have an
influence on the mechanical strength, are also
designed differently.
The reciprocating R-Pilot instrument
showed higher cyclic fatigue strength values
than the ProGlider, leading to the rejection of
the first null hypothesis. Because both
instruments are made of the same alloy, the
differences are in the kinematics and design
features. The reciprocating motion aims to
reduce stress accumulation during continuous
rotation at a specific point on the area of
maximum root canal curvature by completing a
full rotation in 3 cutting cycles18. The
instruments are much more prone to fracture
when the angle of curvature is increased,
resulting in higher compressive and tensile
stresses19. Cyclic fatigue resistance can be
evaluated using the time or number of cycles to
failure, whereas in this study TF values were
analyzed. Previously, reciprocating motion has
been shown to be of much more complex
kinematics than continuous rotation in terms of
its description by rotational speed and rotation
angles because significant differences were
shown between the parameters of the
provided reciprocation modes and the actual
detected values20. The finding of this study
that concludes that the reciprocating glide
path instrument was superior in terms of TF
due to cyclic fatigue in an acute apical
curvature supports the current literature
despite the use of different cyclic fatigue test

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FIGURE 2 – Scanning electron microscopic examinations of the fractured surfaces of (A and C ) the R-Pilot and (B and D ) the ProGlider after mechanical tests. A and B show
concentric abrasion marks on the center of rotation and dimpled areas as a result of torsional failure (500!). C and D show striation marks (black arrows ), indicating the incremental
growth of a cyclic fatigue crack as a result of repetitive stress cycles (3000!).

models and artificial canal forms with varying
radii and lengths of curvature10,21 Because of
its higher constant taper, the R-Pilot shows
larger nominal diameters between D3 and D4
(0.245 and 0.285) and thereby a lower flexibility
compared with the ProGlider instrument (0.21
and 0.23), although the progressive taper of
the ProGlider has also been considered to
decrease its flexibility 21. According to the
results of this study, the reciprocating motion
and S-shaped cross section contributed to the
higher cyclic fatigue strength of the R-Pilot
despite the larger taper and nominal diameter
compared with the ProGlider. Static cyclic
fatigue test models are not standardized yet

FIGURE 3 – The variation of roughness values and blade edge radius for the R-Pilot and ProGlider instruments examined by a noncontact optical profilometer.

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 and show deviations from suggested clinical
practice such as the lack of motion, the
presence of stainless steel canals instead of
human dentin, and the use of lubricating oil
instead of irrigation solutions; therefore, the
findings should be applied to clinical practice
with care.
Although torsional stresses occur in every
cutting action of an NiTi instrument22, a glide
path instrument is especially more exposed to
them when used to create a micro–glide path.
Unlike cyclic fatigue tests, torsional test
protocols are standardized by ISO 3630-123,
which recommends the application of torque
according to the direction of cutting blades at 2-
rpm speed and at room temperature. The R-Pilot
was rotated in the counterclockwise direction,
whereas the ProGlider was rotated in the
clockwise direction. Such use of the instruments
is also inconsistent with their clinical use, but
torsional resistance test models have the
advantage of validated standardization for
evaluating NiTi instruments. It should be noted
that reciprocating instruments aim to prevent
torsional stress accumulation by completing a
full rotation in 3 stages interrupted by clockwise
movements18. Overall, the second null
hypothesis was also rejected due to significant
differences between maximum torque values
before failure. The R-Pilot showed significantly
higher torsional strength than the ProGlider.
These results are consistent with the findings of 2
previous studies that compared them21,24. Apart
from the alloy material, the maximum torque
before failure has been associated with the taper,
core diameter, and cross-sectional design and
area. In the torsional strength test, the instrument
tips are clamped at D3, where the R-Pilot
showed a greater nominal diameter than the
ProGlider. Because the torsional resistance is
correlated with the increased metal mass25, the
greater diameter, taper, and different cross-
sectional design might contribute to the higher
torsional resistance of the R-Pilot. However, it
should be kept in mind that differences in the
instrument design such as cross-sectional
shape, pitch length, and being centered or off-
centered also influence stress concentration
patterns leading to failure25,26.
Angular deflection is another result of
torsion testing and is considered a clinically
important indicator of torsional loading when it
occurs at greater angles that result in plastic
deformation of the instrument (flattening of the
spirals) before fracture27. In the present study, no
statistically significant difference was found
between the R-Pilot and ProGlider in terms of
their angular deflection values, which could be
associated with the ductility of the M-Wire alloy
FIGURE 4 – Scanning electron microscopic evaluation of the unused instruments revealed the machining marks from which both instruments are manufactured.
between the cutting edges. The ProGlider presents metal particles around the instrument tip (black arrows ) and irregular Scanning electron microscopic examinations of
cutting edges. The R-Pilot shows grooves on its tip (white dotted ellipse ) and irregular edges (white arrows ). the fractured instrument surfaces obtained from

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torsional resistance tests reveal that the surface
is smooth and the final fracture is ductile in nature
(Fig. 2A and B). With the ProGlider, a crack
originating from the blade area, which showed a
sharper edge structure, will cause a greater
stress concentration under torsional load. As a
matter of fact, the time required for cyclic fatigue
fracture in the ProGlider was much lower
(Table 1).
The noncontact optical profilometer has
emerged as a surface evaluation method that
provides both qualitative and quantitative data
for the examination of surface changes in NiTi
devices, does not require prior sample
preparation as in scanning electron microscopic
analysis, and does not require a flat and hard
surface as in atomic force microscopy28,29. The
quantitative parameters used to evaluate the
surface area have been standardized by ISO-
25178-217. The technique uses white light
passing through a series of lenses with a high
degree of chromatic aberration. Each
wavelength focuses on a different distance,
creating the vertical measuring range. When a
surface of interest is within the measuring range,
1 wavelength of white light will be in focus,
whereas the others will be out of focus. Higher-
resolution scanning increases the processing
time. For this reason, scanning frequency and
resolution were determined by performing some
preliminary tests. Optical resolution refers to the
amount of information the scanner can gather in
each horizontal line. In other words, resolution is
the amount of detail a scanner can capture. The
scanning frequency is the period of time
required for 1 full scan of a complete line when
the measuring object is sequentially scanned.
For this reason, all samples in the study were
scanned at 2000 Hz and 2-mm resolution.
Based on the results, the new ProGlider and R-
Pilot instruments have similar roughness values
in the flute region. However, it was found that
the average surface roughness in the cutting
blade region was greater for both instruments.
Roughness has been associated with fracture
resistance in a previous in vitro study using
standardized electropolished and unpolished
instruments30. The authors showed that
instruments with higher roughness were more
susceptible to cyclic fatigue failure because they
had deeper grooves required for crack initiation
and propagation due to repeated tension-
REFERENCES
1. Ruddle CJ, Machtou P, West JD. Endodontic canal preparation: new innovations in glide path
management and shaping canals. Dent Today 2014;33:118–23.
1930 Keskin et al.
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2021. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright ©2021. Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
compression loading30. Similarly, in this study,
the R-Pilot showed lower average roughness
on its blade surface and higher cyclic fatigue
and torsional strength compared with the
ProGlider. Overall, it should be noted that these
measurements were obtained from a 3-mm
length of the instrument, which was exposed to
stress during glide path preparation, and cannot
be a generalization for the entire instrument.
The scanning electron microscopic
analyses performed revealed the presence of
surface irregularities such as grooves, burrs,
and imperfections in the cutting blade of both
the used and unused instruments. In the
present study, scanning electron microscopic
evaluation detected these surface defects and
debris on the surface, where the initial
stereomicroscopic evaluation performed for
sample selection failed to show any major
defect or deformity. Although it was beyond
the scope of the present study, some electron
microscopic techniques, which would not
damage or require modification of the
samples, could be suggested for pre-
examination for fatigue tests. Figure 4 shows
the presence of distinctive grinding marks
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
instruments. It is known that the grinding
process used in the manufacture of the
instrument causes the formation of marks on
the surface of the instrument31,32. Despite their
different manufacturers, both the R-Pilot and
the ProGlider are made of M-Wire that
undergoes proprietary treatments, such as
wire drawing under specific tension and
thermal treatment at different temperatures33.
Regarding the effect of use, after a single use in
a canal with an abrupt curvature, the surface
roughness in the flute region did not
significantly change, whereas in the blade
region the average roughness for both
instruments decreased significantly. There
may be 2 reasons for this decrease. First,
accumulated debris in the flute area may have
resulted in a smoother surface measurement
by the noncontact profilometer despite
ultrasonic cleaning of the instruments. Second,
the abrasive wear on the cutting blades may
have produced a polishing effect on the
surface. Another finding of this study was the
change in the edge radii of the instruments as a
function of use. The wear of the cutting blade
after use is inevitable because of abrasive
wear, and the radius of the edge is expected to
change as a result. In this study, it was found
that the blade edge radius of both instruments
increased after use. The blade edge radius of
the R-Pilot increased by 14%, whereas the
blade edge radius of the ProGlider increased
by 61%. The ProGlider has sharper edges, and
after use these edges lost their sharpness and
became smoother due to the effect of abrasive
wear. For this reason, the Sa value in the blade
area of the ProGlider showed a greater
decrease. The increased blade edge radius
could be considered a sign of wear damage in
the blades of the ProGlider after use34, which
also led to a decrease of the flute-blade height.
The differences in instrument wear could also
be attributable to the differences in the dentin
hardness of the specimens.
In the present study, glide path
preparations were performed in extracted
human teeth. Despite the difficulty of finding
anatomically similar samples with abrupt
apical curvatures, the use of human teeth
instead of the resin blocks, which differ in
hardness from dentin35, provided a more
realistic approach to clinical conditions. On
the other hand, the small sample size due to
the difficulty of finding suitable samples
constitutes a limitation. The results of the
static cyclic fatigue and monotonic torsional
test models should be interpreted for clinical
practice carefully, bearing in mind the
differences between the test models and the
clinical confounding factors.
CONCLUSION
Within the limitations of this study, the R-Pilot
showed higher resistance to cyclic fatigue
strength when tested in an artificial canal with
an abrupt apical curvature model and higher
torsional resistance in a monotonic model
conducted according to ISO 3630-1
specification compared with the ProGlider.
Glide path management of the mesial root
canals of extracted mandibular molars with
abrupt apical curvatures did not cause
significant alterations in the surface quality of
the instruments; however, unused instruments
were not free of irregularities or debris.
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