Comparison of In Vitro Torque Generation during Instrumentation with Adaptive Versus Continuous Movement

Introduction: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the torque generated by continuous and adaptive movements of 2 nickel-titanium rotary file systems. Methods: Forty-five simulated resin blocks with an S-shaped canal were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 15) according to the file system and kinematics: the K3XF rotary system (Kerr Endodontics, Orange, CA) with continuous rotary movement, the K3XF with adaptive movement, and the Twisted File (Kerr Endodontics) adaptive file with adaptive movement. After creating a glide path, the canal was instrumented to the same size (.04/#20 for K3XF or SM1 for the Twisted File with adaptive movement) before torque measurement. During the final instrumentation procedure with the .06/25 sized file (K3XF or SM2), the generated torque and the preparation time were recorded. The total torque experienced and the maximum torque value were calculated. The data were statistically analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and the Tukey post hoc comparison test at a significance level of 95%. Results: The K3XF file system used with adaptive motion group showed significantly lower total and maximum torque values compared with the K3XF with continuous rotary movement group. The Twisted File adaptive file with adaptive motion showed significantly lower torque generation and shorter preparation time than the K3XF groups with adaptive or continuous rotation (P < .05). Conclusions: Under the conditions of this study, adaptive movement for nickel-titanium files may reduce torque generation without increasing preparation time. Nickel-titanium files with a smaller cross-sectional area using adaptive movement may be helpful to reduce the potential risk of root dentin damage.