# NIC® KD Blue

> Constant-Taper Blue Matrix

- **Manufacturer:** NIC Dental (Shenzhen Superline Technology)
- **Motion:** Continuous Rotation
- **Alloy:** MaxTech 6.0 Blue Heat-Treated NiTi
- **Key feature:** Sixteen constant-taper configurations (15-50 in .04 and .06) run at 500 RPM with graduated per-file torque from 0.75 to 3.6 Ncm

## Specifications

### KD4 (.04)

| File | Tip (mm) | Taper | Length | Cross-section | Motion | Speed (rpm) | Torque | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 15/.04 | 0.15 | 4% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 0.75 Ncm | shaping |
| 20/.04 | 0.20 | 4% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 0.75 Ncm | shaping |
| 25/.04 | 0.25 | 4% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 1.0 Ncm | shaping |
| 30/.04 | 0.30 | 4% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 1.0 Ncm | shaping |
| 35/.04 | 0.35 | 4% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 1.3 Ncm | shaping |
| 40/.04 | 0.40 | 4% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 1.3 Ncm | shaping |
| 45/.04 | 0.45 | 4% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 1.3 Ncm | shaping |
| 50/.04 | 0.50 | 4% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 1.3 Ncm | shaping |

### KD6 (.06)

| File | Tip (mm) | Taper | Length | Cross-section | Motion | Speed (rpm) | Torque | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 15/.06 | 0.15 | 6% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 1.9 Ncm | shaping |
| 20/.06 | 0.20 | 6% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 1.9 Ncm | shaping |
| 25/.06 | 0.25 | 6% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 2.85 Ncm | shaping |
| 30/.06 | 0.30 | 6% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 2.85 Ncm | shaping |
| 35/.06 | 0.35 | 6% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 3.6 Ncm | shaping |
| 40/.06 | 0.40 | 6% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 3.6 Ncm | shaping |
| 45/.06 | 0.45 | 6% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 3.6 Ncm | shaping |
| 50/.06 | 0.50 | 6% | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | Convex triangular | Continuous Rotation | 500 | 3.6 Ncm | shaping |

## Protocol

### Glide Path

1. **Scout with SS K-Files** — Per the IFU, never introduce a KD Blue file into an unscouted canal: negotiate with stainless steel K-files and a root-canal conditioner, confirming patency with a 010 K-file.
   - Pre-curve hand files for curved or difficult anatomy when required (IFU)
2. **Establish a Glide Path to at Least ISO 015** — Establish a smooth, reproducible glide path with at least a 015 K-file to working length, irrigating and recapitulating frequently, per the IFU.
   - ⚠ Do not use KD Blue rotary files without a confirmed glide path (IFU)

### Shaping

1. **Crown-Down Entry — 30/.04 or 40/.04** — For a small canal begin with 30/.04, for a larger canal with 40/.04, advancing passively until resistance or working length; when resistance comes before length, step down sequentially to smaller .04 instruments, per the IFU. _(File: 30/.04 or 40/.04 · 500 RPM · 1.0-1.5 Ncm)_
   - Recapitulate with a 010 or 015 K-file and irrigate between rotary instruments (IFU)
   - Use the larger file primarily for coronal enlargement (IFU)
   - ⚠ Do not force any file toward working length when resistance is present (IFU)
2. **Step Down to Length** — Continue with smaller instruments until the canal can be shaped safely to length, then return to the clinically appropriate larger size when needed, per the IFU. _(500 RPM · File-specific (0.75-3.6 Ncm))_
   - Clean the flutes before each re-entry and replenish irrigant (IFU)

### Finishing

1. **Select the Final Size and Taper** — Choose the final file by canal anatomy, curvature, and apical objectives: .04 taper when flexibility and conservative enlargement matter, .06 selectively in straighter canals or mild-to-moderate curvature, per the IFU.
   - Finish at the smallest size that provides adequate cleaning, taper, and apical control (IFU)
   - Do not use .06 taper automatically in severe curvature (IFU)
2. **Verify, Dry, and Obturate** — Verify the final preparation and working length, complete the final irrigation protocol, dry, and obturate with paper points and gutta-percha matching the final tip size and taper, per the IFU.
   - Confirm master-cone fit, tug-back, and radiographic fit before sealer placement (IFU)

## Clinical Tips

- All sixteen files run at 500 RPM, but torque is file-specific per the manufacturer's fact sheet (2026-08-12): .04 taper files use 0.75 Ncm (15, 20), 1.0 Ncm (25, 30) and 1.3 Ncm (35-50); .06 taper files use 1.9 Ncm (15, 20), 2.85 Ncm (25, 30) and 3.6 Ncm (35-50)
- The IFU warns explicitly against applying one torque value to every size and taper — set the motor per file
- The fact sheet's per-file torques refine the IFU draft's rounded values and supersede the 2025 catalog's crude 2-5 Ncm range (the .04 values sit below that range entirely)
- Taper selection doctrine per the IFU: .04 for curved mid-root and apical regions where flexibility and conservative enlargement are priorities; .06 selectively for straighter canals, mild-to-moderate curvature, or coronal shaping
- MaxTech 6.0 blue heat treatment: naturally reduced shape memory, gently pre-bendable for access, positioned for curvature up to ~30° — manufacturer claims, not independently verified
- Convex triangular cross-section with a non-cutting guiding tip; maximum flute diameter 0.8-1.4 mm across the range per the manufacturer's fact sheet and direct confirmation (2026-08)
- NIC's own cross-reference table maps the KD File to Vortex Blue, including the 500 RPM speed — a manufacturer-claimed correspondence, not independently verified
- Crown-down entry logic per the IFU: small canals start at 30/.04, larger canals at 40/.04, stepping down on resistance rather than forcing
- Supplied 6 instruments per pack (IFU)
- The 45 and 50 configurations in both tapers are listed on the manufacturer's fact sheet (2026-08-12) and have no product render yet
- Specifications on this page come from the manufacturer's consolidated fact sheet (2026-08-12, the controlling source), IFU draft (2026), and 2025 catalog; no independent peer-reviewed performance data exists for this system (PubMed, 2026-08-11)

## Warnings

- Single-use only per the manufacturer's IFU — reuse may increase the risk of cross-contamination, loss of cutting efficiency, or file separation
- Supplied non-sterile in this version: sterilize before first clinical use (steam autoclave 134 °C, 18 min holding time per the IFU) and discard after the procedure
- Use only in continuous clockwise rotation with a torque-controlled motor — the IFU directs against reciprocating motion
- Set the file-specific torque from the manufacturer's current tables; do not run the whole matrix on one torque value (IFU)
- Do not use a file from a damaged package, or any instrument showing deformation, unwinding, corrosion, fracture, or wear (IFU)
- Avoid apical pressure: when resistance appears before working length, step down a size instead of forcing (IFU)
- Contains nickel — the IFU contraindicates use in patients with known nickel/NiTi allergic sensitivity
- The IFU contraindicates mechanical use in canals with severe, sudden apical curvatures, complex canal divisions, calcified anatomy, or anatomy where safe passive file progression cannot be achieved

## Contraindications

- Known allergic sensitivity to nickel-titanium alloy or any component of the device (IFU)
- Canals with severe, sudden apical curvatures, complex canal divisions, calcified anatomy, or anatomy where safe passive file progression cannot be achieved (IFU)

## Best for

- crown-down shaping with a broad size matrix
- file-specific torque discipline per the IFU
- conservative .04 taper option for curved canals

## Technical profile

- **Category:** multi-file-rotary
- **Heat treatment:** Blue Heat-Treated — Manufacturer's MaxTech 6.0 heat treatment: blue-colored wire with naturally reduced shape memory, described as highly flexible with improved cyclic fatigue resistance and gently pre-bendable, positioned for curvature up to ~30°. Manufacturer claims; no independent metallurgical characterization is cited.
- **Pre-bendable:** yes
- **Reuse:** Single-use
- **Motor:** any-rotary
- **Glide path requirement:** manual-only — SS K-files to at least ISO 015 at working length per the IFU
- **Canal suitability:** Curvature: mild, moderate; Canal size: narrow, normal, wide; Calcified canals: no; Retreatment: no; Conservative access: no
- **Content revision:** 2026-08-13

## FAQ

**What alloy is NIC KD Blue made from?**

NIC® KD Blue is manufactured from MaxTech 6.0 Blue Heat-Treated NiTi.

**How many files are in the NIC KD Blue sequence?**

The NIC® KD Blue system includes 16 files: 15/.04, 20/.04, 25/.04, 30/.04, 35/.04, 40/.04, 45/.04, 50/.04, 15/.06, 20/.06, 25/.06, 30/.06, 35/.06, 40/.06, 45/.06, 50/.06.

**What motion type does NIC KD Blue use?**

NIC® KD Blue uses continuous rotation motion.

**What cases is NIC KD Blue best for?**

NIC® KD Blue is best suited for: crown-down shaping with a broad size matrix, file-specific torque discipline per the IFU, conservative .04 taper option for curved canals.

**What speed and torque settings are recommended for NIC KD Blue?**

Recommended settings: 500 RPM and 0.75 / 1.0 / 1.3 / 1.9 / 2.85 / 3.6 Ncm across the file sequence (refer to official DFU for full per-file parameters).

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_Educational reference for dental professionals. Always confirm settings against the official manufacturer instructions for use before clinical procedures._