When a dentist decides to install a bracket system on his teeth, he first of all selects an orthodontic wire for the patient. In the initial stages, materials with a high degree of resistance to deformation are usually used, and in the later stages, more rigid and durable wires are used.
Device Description
Orthodontic wire is a structure used in the field of dentistry and medicine in general. It is used to improve the attachment of orthodontic devices to the teeth. The wire consists of a working rod designed to be placed in the oral cavity.
The result of using orthodontic wire is to eliminate the need to wrap the wire around the shaft of the orthodontic screw.
Dimensions and materials for manufacturing
Most often in dentistry, orthodontic stainless steel wire is used. This is due to the fact that stainless steel has a relatively low price and good rigidity. However, it is usually used in the later stages of treatment.
Alternatively, the device canbe made of various alloys that can increase the parameters of the product. The most common alloy in the manufacture of orthodontic wire is titanium-nickel. Mechanical impacts on such a system will not lead to deformations, however, its cost is quite high.
Although nickel-titanium wires have good elasticity, they cannot fully protect the teeth from parafunctional forces. There is also a modification of this alloy. In this case, after heating, the nickel-titanium orthodontic wire will be more flexible than when cold.
Wires can also vary in size. If the designation 0.016 inch (0.4 mm) is written on the package, then it will be round, and if 0.016x0.022 it will be square.
Properties
A properly made orthodontic wire should have the following properties:
- Elasticity - prevents breakage of the product during use.
- No friction.
- Interaction with other materials - makes it possible to solder the wire with other devices.
- Elasticity - thanks to the residual energy, the wire will not deform after bending.
- Biocompatibility.
- Rigidity - depends on the diameter of the product. The larger it is, the higher the rigidity.
With all the above parameters, orthodontic wire becomes an ideal device for dental treatment.
