Cutting characteristics of a sonic root-end preparation instrument

The aim of this study was to investigate the cutting ability of retro tips powered by a sonic handpiece (MM 1500, Micro Mega, Prodonta, Geneva, Switzerland). Two levels of the following variables were evaluated in this study: a) power setting with the air inlet ring half or fully open, b) orientation of tip perpendicular or parallel to the long axis of the handpiece, c) length of tip 2 or 3 mm, d) loading of 25 or 50 grams, e) tip size 35 or 55. The substrate used was 1 mm thick sections of bovine bone and load was controlled by using a load cell interfaced with a transducer meter. Instrumentation time was fixed at 10 seconds with water irrigation. A 2⁵ full factorial analysis was performed with two replications making a total of 64 experimental units. The resultant depth of cut was measured using a stereo microscope at x50 magnification. Analysis of the data indicated that all variables had a significant effect on cutting (ANOVA p<0.05). The most significant factor was power, followed by tip length, tip orientation, width and load. An increase in loading resulted in tip constraint and a reduction of cutting at the lower power setting. In conclusion sonically activated retro tips were found to cut satisfactorily with instrument air inlet ring opening/power having the main effect.