Journal of endodontics
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Journal of endodontics · Nov 2015
Prediction of Cyclic Fatigue Life of Nickel-Titanium Rotary Files by Virtual Modeling and Finite Elements Analysis.
The finite element method (FEM) has been proposed as a method to analyze stress distribution in nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments but has not been assessed as a method of predicting the number of cycles to failure (NCF). The objective of this study was to predict NCF and failure location of NiTi rotary instruments by FEM virtual simulation of an experimental nonstatic fatigue test. ⋯ File NCF and failure location may be predicted by FEA. Virtual design, testing, and analysis of file geometries could save considerable time and resources during instrument development.