When the dentist decides to install a bracket system on his teeth, he first selects the patient’s orthodontic wire. 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 arcs.
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 teeth. The wire consists of a working rod intended for placement in the oral cavity.
The result of using an orthodontic wire is to eliminate the need to wind the wire around the rod of the orthodontic screw.
Sizes and materials for manufacturing
Most often in dentistry, an orthodontic stainless wire is used. All due to the fact that stainless steel has a relatively low price and good rigidity. However, it is usually used in the late stages of treatment.
Alternatively, the device can be made of various alloys, which can increase the parameters of the product. The most common alloy in the manufacture of orthodontic wire is titanium-nickel. Mechanical effects on such a system will not lead to deformations, but its cost is quite high.
Despite the fact that nickel-titanium arches have good elasticity, they cannot provide complete protection of teeth from parafunctional forces. There is a modification of this alloy. In this case, after heating, the nickel-titanium orthodontic wire will be more flexible than in the cold state.
The wires may vary in size. If the package has a designation of 0.016 inches (0.4 mm), then it will be round, and if 0.016x0.022 - square.
The properties
A properly manufactured orthodontic wire should have the following properties:
- Elasticity - prevents breakage of the product during use.
- Lack of 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 stiffness.
Thanks to all of the above parameters, the orthodontic wire becomes an ideal device for dental treatment.