Influence of Sodium Hypochlorite and Chlorhexidine on the Dynamic Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of XP Endo Shaper Instruments

Objective This study evaluated the dynamic cyclic fatigue resistance of the XP-Endo Shaper (XPS), associated with chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) or sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in two different formulations: gel (G) or liquid (L). Materials and Methods Sixty XPS were used in an artificial stainless-steel canal, and the files were fully immersed in the irrigating solution throughout the experiment until the fracture. The files were divided into six groups (n = 10) based on the irrigation solution used: NaOCl(L), NaOCl(G), CHX(L), CHX(G), natrosol gel (NAT) (control), and lubricating oil (LO) (control). The artificial canal was manufactured 1.5 mm wide, 20 mm long, and, 3.5 mm deep with a straight cervical segment measuring 14.29 mm; an apical segment of 4.71 mm with 3 mm radius; and 90 degrees of curvature apical 1mm long straight segment. Resistance to cyclic fatigue was determined by recording the number of cycles to fracture (NCF). Results The CHX(G), CHX(L), and OIL (LO) groups showed no significant difference between them and presented longer time to fracture (p> 0.05). NaOCl(L) shows the lowest NCF without significant differences between NaOCl(G) and NAT. The NCF of the NaOCl(G) was statistically similar to the CHX(L) and statistically lower than the CHX(G) and OIL groups. NAT did not present a statistical difference of the NaOCl(L), NaOCl(G), and presented a significantly lower NCF than the CHX(G) (p< 0.01). Conclusion The use of CHX(G) resulted in increased cyclic fatigue resistance of the XPS instruments compared to NaOCl or LO.