Evaluation in vitro of the tensile strength of crimpable hooks used for stabilization in orthognathic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the tensile strength of crimpable hooks used for arch stabilization in orthognatic surgery.


METHODS
Ninety stainless steel wire (0.019" × 0.026") segments, each measuring 6 cm long, were used and attached to crimpable hooks of different commercial brands. Six groups were formed (n = 10) denominated as follows: control, in which the wire segments were perpendicularly welded by spot welding machine; and the hooks groups M (Morelli), MS (Morelli with weld), TP (TP Ortho), TPS (TP with weld), TPTg (TP-tungsten), TPTgS (TP-tungsten with weld), AO (American Orthodontics), and AOS (American Orthodontics with weld). The test specimen topography was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy before and after the tensile strength tests. After obtaining the results, the analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis multiple-comparison tests were applied.


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, the AOS ball hooks and those from TPS required a greater amount of force to be displaced along the rectangular arch. The hooks in group M were significantly easier to displace, followed by those from AO.


CONCLUSIONS
The best ball hooks for clinical application are those from AOS and TPS.
School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Brazil.
Nascimento Leonard Euller
NL
Andrade Gomes
Pithon Matheus
PM
Melo
Santos Rogério
SR
Lacerda
Medeiros Paulo Jose
MP
D'Albuquerque
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D057909:Orthognathic Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013193:Stainless Steel; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014896:Welding
D013193:Stainless Steel