The purpose of this work was to investigate the process history on fracture life of nickel-titanium endodontics files. The results are based on microstructural investigations of nickel-titanium engine-driven rotary instruments based on X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and microhardness tests. Endodontic files are very work-hardened, and there is a high density of defects in the alloy that can disturb the phase transformation. The microhardness Vickers confirmed these observations (dislocations and precipitates). The X-rays show that experimental spectrum lines are extended, typical of a distorted lattice. The surface state of the endodontic files (scanning electron microscopy) is an important factor in failure and fracture initiation.

To understand the relationship between surface morphology and proton conduction of polymer electrolyte thin films, perfluorinated ionomer Nafion® thin films were prepared on different substrates such as glassy carbon (GC), hydrophilic-GC (H-GC), and platinum (Pt) as models for the ionomer film within a catalyst layer. Atomic force microscopy coupled with an electrochemical (e-AFM) technique revealed that proton conduction decreased with film thickness; an abrupt decrease in proton conductance was observed when the film thickness was less than ca. 10 nm on GC substrates in addition to a significant change in surface morphology. Furthermore, thin films prepared on H-GC substrates with UV-ozone treatment exhibited higher proton conduction than those on untreated GC substrates. However, Pt substrates exhibited proton conduction comparable to that of GCs for films thicker than 20 nm; a decrease in proton conduction was observed at ∼5 nm thick film but was still much higher than for carbon substrates. These results indicate that the number of active proton-conductive pathways and/or the connectivity of the proton path network changed with film thickness. The surface morphology of thinner films was significantly affected by the film/substrate interface and was fundamentally different from that of the bulk thick membrane.

The before-after scoring system is an acceptable and reliable method for professional cosmetic assessment of root coverage therapy. The overall cosmetic evaluation does not appear to be related to the percentage of root coverage.

SUMMARY The choice of the most suitable orthodontic wire for each stage of treatment requires estimation of the forces generated. In theory, the selection of wire sequences should initially utilize a lower fl exural rigidity; thus clinicians use smaller round cross-sectional dimension wires to generate lighter forces during the preliminary alignment stage. This assessment is true for conventional alloys, but not necessarily for superelastic nickel titanium (NiTi). In this case, the fl exural rigidity dependence on cross-sectional dimension differs from the linear elasticity prediction because of the martensitic transformation process. It decreases with increasing defl ection and this phenomenon is accentuated in the unloading process. This behaviour should lead us to consider differently the biomechanical approach to orthodontic treatment.The present study compared bending in 10 archwires made from NiTi orthodontics alloy of two crosssectional dimensions. The results were based on microstructural and mechanical investigations. With conventional alloys, the fl exural rigidity was constant for each wire and increased largely with the crosssectional dimension for the same strain. With NiTi alloys, the fl exural rigidity is not constant and the infl uence of size was not as important as it should be. This result can be explained by the non-constant elastic modulus during the martensite transformation process. Thus, in some cases, treatment can begin with full-size (rectangular) wires that nearly fi ll the bracket slot with a force application deemed to be physiologically desirable for tooth movement and compatible with patient comfort.