Comparison of three brands of round stainless steel wires used in the Begg and tip-edge techniques.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the properties of three brands of stainless steel orthodontic wires: "Bow-Flex Wire", "TP Original Wire Premier Plus" and "Australian Wire Special Plus".


METHODS
The surface appearance, stiffness, elastic modulus and relaxation of coiled and straight round wires in four diameters 10.016 inch, 0.018 inch, 0.020 inch and 0.022 inch) were compared.


RESULTS
"Australian Wire Special Plus" wire had a rougher surface than "Bow-Flex" and "TP Original Wire Premier Plus" wires. For all diameters "Australian Wire Special Plus" coiled wire was stiffer, had a higher elastic modulus, and lower relaxation than the corresponding "Bow-Flex" and "TP Original Wire Premier Plus" wires. All coiled samples were stiffer and had a higher elastic modulus than corresponding straight wires from the same manufacturer.


CONCLUSIONS
"Australian Wire Special Plus" 0.016 inch coiled wire is recommended for the initial treatment phase in the Begg and the Tip-Edge techniques. Either coiled or straight 0.018 inch, 0.020 inch or 0.022 inch wires from both manufacturers are suitable for phases II and III in both techniques.
Birkenkamp
Steffen
S
Department of Orthodontics, University of Giessen, Germany.
Pancherz
Hans
H
D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D018583:Pliability; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*
D003722:Dental Alloys; D013193:Stainless Steel