Mechanical properties and surface characterization of beta titanium and stainless steel orthodontic wire following topical fluoride treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of fluoride prophylactic agents on the loading and unloading mechanical properties and surface quality of beta titanium and stainless steel orthodontic wires.


METHODS
Rectangular beta titanium and stainless steel wires were immersed in either an acidulated fluoride agent, a neutral fluoride agent, or distilled water (control) for 1.5 hours at 37 degrees C. After immersion, the loading and unloading elastic modulus and yield strength of the wires were measured using a 3-point bend test in a water bath at 37 degrees C. A one-way analysis of variance and Dunnett's post hoc, alpha = .05, were used to analyze the mechanical testing data. Scanning electron microscopy was also used to qualitatively evaluate the wire topography as a function of the fluoride treatments.


RESULTS
Unloading mechanical properties of beta titanium and stainless steel wires were significantly decreased (P <or= .05) after exposure to both fluoride agents. Corrosive changes in surface topography were also observed after exposure to both the neutral and the acidulated phosphate fluoride agents.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that using topical fluoride agents with beta titanium and stainless steel wire could decrease the functional unloading mechanical properties of the wires and potentially contribute to prolonged orthodontic treatment.
Walker
Mary P
MP
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, Kansas City, MO, USA. walkermp@umkc.edu
Ries
David
D
Kula
Katherine
K
Ellis
Micheal
M
Fricke
Brian
B
D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D018583:Pliability; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D016474:Weight-Bearing
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; C023988:beta titanium; D013193:Stainless Steel; D014025:Titanium; D005459:Fluorides