Infrared spectroscopy, nano-mechanical properties, and scratch resistance of esthetic orthodontic coated archwires.

Objective: To evaluate the material composition, mechanical properties (hardness and elastic modulus), and scratch resistance of the coating of four commercialized esthetic orthodontic archwires.

Materials And Methods: The coating composition of esthetic archwires was assessed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Coating hardness and elastic modulus were analyzed with instrumented nano-indentation tests.

Coating stability and surface characteristics of esthetic orthodontic coated archwires.

Objective: To evaluate the coating thickness of four brands of as-received esthetic coated rectangular archwires and their surface characteristics and coating stability after 21 days of oral exposure compared to those of conventional stainless steel (SS) and nickel titanium (NiTi) ones.

Materials And Methods: The labial surface of the selected archwires was observed with a stereoscope and in a scanning electron microscope, and surface roughness was assessed with an atomic force microscope. The coating thickness of as-received wires and the percentage of coating lost on the labial surface of retrieved wires were measured using Image Pro Plus 4.

Cross-section dimensions and mechanical properties of esthetic orthodontic coated archwires.

Introduction: There has been continuing interest in the development and use of esthetic and effective orthodontic archwires. The aims of this study were to evaluate the inner alloy core dimensions of 4 brands of as-received esthetic coated wires and their mechanical properties before and after 21 days of oral exposure, compared with conventional stainless steel and nickel titanium wires.

Methods: Four groups (Ortho Organizers, Carlsbad, Calif; TP Orthodontics, LaPorte, Ind; Orthometric, Beijing, China; and Trianeiro, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil) of orthodontic archwires were tested.

Color stability and fluorescence of different orthodontic esthetic archwires.

Objective: To evaluate the color stability of six esthetic archwires at different time periods and their fluorescence.

Materials And Methods: Samples were evaluated after 7, 14, and 21 days of immersion in staining solution. Color measurements were performed by means of a spectrophotometer according to the Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage L*a*b* system, and color changes (ΔE*) and National Bureau of Standards units were computed.

Relapse of a maxillary median diastema: closure and permanent retention.

The purpose of this article was to describe the closure of a maxillary median diastema of a 26-year-old woman that had been corrected before during orthodontic treatment but reopened after dental trauma in a car accident. A clear esthetic device made from a tray like those used for home bleaching was used, providing a comfortable, nearly undetectable, and efficient solution. A permanent fixed retainer was bonded again to the maxillary central incisors to prevent relapse.