Characterization And Comparison Of As Received And Clinically Retrieved Bio-Active (Tm) Orthodontic Archwires

Y This study aimed to characterize and compare the latest generation multi-force Bio-active (TM) orthodontic archwires to determine if there is a change in their physicochemical and mechanical properties during orthodontic treatment. The physicochemical characterization of the archwires was done by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. A modified dynamic nanoindentation method with depth control was used to determine the mechanical properties. Statistical analysis was done by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The XRD analysis showed that all investigated archwires are made of Ni-Ti alloy with an austenite crystal structure. The surface roughness of the Bio-active (TM) wires decreases after clinical use. The elemental composition analysis showed that the weight percentage of nickel and titanium is approximately 55 wt.% and 45 wt.%, respectively, and traces of Fe and Cr were registered in some regions. The results from nanoindentation experiments showed that the indentation hardness in the bicuspid part of archwires used for six weeks decreases by about 154%, and the indentation modulus decreases by about 44% compared to as received archwires, probably due to the changes in the morphology. Statistically significant differences in the chemical content are found for the anterior and bicuspid regions, while in the mechanical properties, for the bicuspid and posterior regions of the investigated archwires. The obtained results give orthodontists important information about the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the Bio-active (TM) multi-force archwires during their clinical use.