MORPHOMETRIC VIDEO ANALYSIS OF THE ENGINE-DRIVEN NICKEL-TITANIUM LIGHTSPEED INSTRUMENT SYSTEM

Two hundred and sixteen Lightspeed instruments were evaluated microsco pically for the presence of corrosion, surface debris, and alloy defec ts, The instruments were assessed morphometrically for consistency of physical design and dimensions by measuring and analyzing eight parame ters of the instrument pilot tips, heads, and shafts, Results from vis ual inspection showed that none of the instruments were corroded; 23 p resented surface porosities, and 17 had sharp strips of alloy, Data ob tained by morphometric analysis indicated the mean diameter of the hea d of only 7 of 18 sizes met the +/-0.02 mm allowable tolerance set for th by the American Dental Association (ADA) Specification No. 28. Obse rvation and video analysis indicated that instruments of the same size adhere to the same basic design, but that morphometric variations do exist, The visual and intersize analysis indicated that the Lightspeed is not an instrument of any one determined shape that changes only in diameter, Rather, it is a series of instruments that show gradual shi fts in both size and shape as the instrument size increases, Lightspee d instruments are a new type of nickel-titanium endodontic instrument that cannot be evaluated using the standards proposed by the American National Standards Institute/ADA Specification No, 28 for files and re amers.