title: Autoclaving and clinical recycling: effects on mechanical properties of orthodontic wires.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  About half of the orthodontists recycle and reuse orthodontic wires because of their costs. So when talking about reuse and sterilization of wires, their effects on mechanical properties of wires should be clarified. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of sterilization and clinical use on mechanical properties of stainless steel wires.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty stainless steel orthodontic wires were divided into three equal groups of control, autoclave (sterilized by autoclave), and recycle group (wires were used for orthodontic patients up to 4 weeks, cleaned by isopropyl alcohol and sterilized by autoclave). The mechanical properties (tensile test, three-point loading test for load-deflection curve) were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fracture force, yield strength, stiffness and modulus of elasticity in recycle groups were significantly lower than the other groups (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although recycle wires were softer than those of control group, relatively small differences and also various properties of available wires have obscured the clinical predictability of their application. There is seemingly no problem in terms of mechanical properties to recycle orthodontic wires.
authors: Department of Orthodontics, Shiraz Orthodontic Research Centre, Shiraz Dental School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Oshagh
authors: M R
authors: MR
authors: Hematiyan
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Mohandes
authors: M R
authors: MR
authors: Oshagh
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Pishbin
mesh_terms: D019840:2-Propanol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry*; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D004548:Elasticity; D004868:Equipment Failure; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D018583:Pliability; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry*; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D003722:Dental Alloys; D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D013193:Stainless Steel; D019840:2-Propanol