title: Mapping chemical elements on the surface of orthodontic appliance by SEM-EDX.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During orthodontic treatment, the various elements that constitute the fixed appliance undergo different processes. As a result of a change of the surface, elution/coverage of metals on the surface can be observed in the process of corrosion/passivation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scanning electron microscopy with an energy-dispersive X-ray analytical system (SEM-EDX) was used to analyze the composition of stainless steel elements of orthodontic fixed appliances (before and after orthodontic treatment), to obtain the composition of the surface of the elements. The analyzed elements were: brackets (Victory Series APC PLUS 022, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA); wires (0.017×0.025, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA); and bands (37+, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed a decrease of chromium and iron contribution to the surface, with increase of oxygen content in used vs. new elements of the appliance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results confirm the formation of oxides (passivation layer) on the surface of stainless steel as a result of the presence of the orthodontic appliance in patients' oral cavities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentofacial Orthopedics and Orthodontics, Division of Facial Abnormalities, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mikulewicz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Inorganic Technology and Mineral Fertilizers, Wrocław University of Technology, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wołowiec
authors.affiliation: Institute of Inorganic Technology and Mineral Fertilizers, Wrocław University of Technology, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Izabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Michalak
authors.affiliation: Institute of Inorganic Technology and Mineral Fertilizers, Wrocław University of Technology, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chojnacka
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentofacial Orthopedics and Orthodontics, Division for Facial Esthetics, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Czopor
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berniczei-Royko
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Heim Pal Children Hospital, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Andras
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vegh
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gedrange
mesh_terms: D004602:Elements; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004602:Elements