Search Results (9)

Background/Objectives: Orthodontic treatment offers significant functional and aesthetic benefits, but it often causes discomfort, impacting patients’ daily activities, including diet and medication use. The primary aim of this observational study was to assess the influence of orthodontic patients’ age, gender, and living environment on pain duration, diet impairment, and analgesic use one week after their first adjustment visit to the orthodontist. Methods: This observational study included a sample of 194 orthodontic patients who completed a questionnaire consisting of six single-choice questions. The questions addressed the following variables: age, gender, living environment, pain duration, diet impairment, and analgesic use. The main inclusion criteria encompassed undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment on the upper arch for one week using a 0.0016-inch superelastic NiTi archwire (American Orthodontics, Sheboygan, WI, USA) and presenting moderate to severe crowding of the upper and lower anterior teeth. Results: Female patients were significantly more likely to experience diet impairment than males (51.9% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.013). Among female patients reporting pain lasting approximately one week, a higher proportion resided in rural areas (25% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.045), whereas male patients reporting the same pain duration predominantly lived in urban areas (12.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.028). Overall, 55.7% of participants used analgesics, with females in rural areas being the most frequent users. Additionally, patients who used analgesics were significantly more likely to experience diet impairment than those who did not (64.3% vs. 49.1%, p = 0.041). Conclusions: Female patients residing in rural areas reported a longer duration of pain, which led to a greater likelihood of experiencing diet impairment and increased consumption of analgesics compared to their counterparts. These findings highlight the need for personalized pain management strategies in orthodontic treatment, especially for patients with increased vulnerability to discomfort. Full article

This study investigates the cytotoxicity of various orthodontic archwires, which are essential in directing tooth movement through biomechanical forces. With advancements in material science, different archwire materials have been developed to balance mechanical performance with aesthetic and biological considerations. The study focuses on evaluating the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of stainless steel, nickel–titanium, and chromium–cobalt archwires, particularly their cytotoxic effects on oral cavity cells. In vitro cell culture experiments with fibroblasts, combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, were conducted to assess cell viability and morphology. The results revealed significant differences in cytotoxicity, with copper wires showing high toxicity and causing extensive cell death, while nickel–titanium and chromium–cobalt wires supported better cell viability and healthier cell morphology. These findings highlight the importance of selecting archwire materials that ensure mechanical efficiency without compromising cellular health, emphasizing the need for ongoing assessment of material biocompatibility in the oral environment. Full article

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), an organic thermoplastic polymer, has gained interest in dentistry due to its excellent mechanical strength, flexibility, and biocompatibility. Furthermore, the ability to utilize CAD/CAM in the fabrication of PEEK enhances accuracy, reliability, and efficiency while also saving time. Hence, several orthodontic studies have explored the utilization of PEEK in various applications, such as archwires, brackets, fixed lingual retainers, palatal expansion devices, transpalatal arches, Tübingen palatal plates, different types of space maintainers, mini-implant insertion guides, and more. However, a complete systematic review of the available data comparing the performance of PEEK with traditional orthodontic materials has not yet been conducted. Therefore, this systematic review seeks to assess if PEEK material meets the required mechanical criteria to serve as an alternative to conventional orthodontic appliances. To ensure clarity and precision, this review will specifically concentrate on fixed appliances. This systemic review followed the PRISMA guidelines and utilized databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Springer, Web of Science, and Wiley. Searches were restricted to English language articles from January 2013 to February 2024. Keywords such as “Polyetheretherketone” or “PEEK” and “Orthodontic” or “Orthodontic device” or “Orthodontic materials” were employed across all databases. Nine studies were incorporated, covering orthodontic archwires, brackets, and fixed lingual retainers. Based on the reviewed literature, PEEK demonstrates promising potential in orthodontic fixed appliances, offering advantages in force delivery, friction reduction, and aesthetic appeal. Further research is needed to fully explore its capabilities and optimize its application in clinical practice. Full article

The achievement of aesthetic, functional occlusion should not mark the end of the orthodontic intervention. To prevent relapse, retention needs advance planning, and may vary in duration. This review aims to present and comment on the available means of retention. The ever-popular, passive Hawley-like removable appliances are credible in maintaining the desired occlusion. Modifications are the removable appliance Wrap Around, having the labial archwire extending to the premolars; the translucent retainer, Astics, a unique aesthetic Hawley-type device; and the reinforced removable retainer, which features a metallic grid reinforcing the acrylic base. Vacuum-formed retainers are easy to fabricate and are readily prescribed. By contrast, fixed retainers are made of orthodontic wire and composite resin bonded on the lingual or palatal surfaces of the anterior teeth. Patient-related variables need evaluation to select the appropriate retainer, while patients ought to realize the importance of retention and comply with offered guidance. Overall, the orthodontist is responsible for keeping the patient informed on the properties and the duration of retention, even before starting active orthodontic treatment. Full article

Background: During the last decade, there has been an increased demand for non-metallic materials in orthodontics due to allergies, compatibility with medical imaging devices such as MRI, and aesthetic reasons. Monolithic poly-ether-ether-ketone material could address medical issues such as allergies and MRI compatibility. Moreover, nickel–titanium (NiTi) archwires covered in PEEK, either by a tube or electrophoretic deposition, could address esthetic concerns. This scoping review aims to summarize the available evidence in the literature to provide an overview of the applications and material properties of PEEK in orthodontics. Methods: This scoping review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis for scoping reviews and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses Protocols extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We searched for relevant publications in MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CENTRAL, ProQuest, and SCOPUS. A gray literature search was conducted on Google Scholar. Results: Six studies were included. In three studies, the authors investigated the feasibility of developing a composite PEEK-NiTi wire, while in two other studies, the authors investigated the feasibility of monolithic PEEK wires. In the final study, the authors investigated the feasibility of PEEK as a bonded retainer. Conclusions: The included studies show promising results in developing monolithic and composite (PEEK-NiTi) materials. Further research on the robustness of PEEK composites in the oral cavity, the status of cytotoxicity and roughness values, and the (bio)-mechanical behavior of the composites is needed. A homogenously set up comparative study of clinically relevant, evenly sized, monolithic PEEK wires versus conventional orthodontic wires for their biomechanical, mechanical, and material properties would clarify the possibilities of developing monolithic PEEK wires. Missing data in the retainer study suggest more research on the mechanical properties and points of failure of PEEK-bonded retainers, and a comparative study comparing the failure and mechanical properties of PEEK-bonded retainers to flat braided metallic bonded retainers is needed. Full article

Bacterial biofilm plays a key role in the development of complications in orthodontic treatment in the form of caries or periodontal disease. The coating of orthodontic archwires can affect their mechanical properties and their bactericidal properties. In connection with the growing interest in aesthetic archwires, it was examined whether aesthetic archwire coatings contribute to the reduction of bacterial adhesion. Based on the available literature, a review was conducted on the basis of the risk of bias (RoB) assessment and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) analysis. The study took into account the results of research on different aesthetic archwire coatings. The analysis shows that there is a lack of homogeneity in the research results. The data on the different aesthetic coatings are inconclusive. On the basis of the data collected, it is impossible to determine whether aesthetic coatings reduce bacterial adhesion. Further studies, standardised in terms of research methods and statistical analysis, are needed to definitively establish whether aesthetic coatings influence bacterial adhesion. Full article

Nickel–titanium orthodontic wires (NTWs) play an essential role in orthodontic treatment. However, their corrosion and aesthetic properties limit their applications. To improve the aesthetic effects of nickel–titanium orthodontic archwires, we prepared aluminium–silicon dioxide (Al–SiO₂) as a biocompatible layer coated onto the NTWs. The Al–SiO₂ coating was first fabricated using physical vapor deposition magnetron sputtering, and its physicochemical and biocompatibility properties were investigated. Al–SiO₂ layers were well coated on the NTWs. The corrosion currents in the nickel–titanium (NiTi) control, Al–SiO₂-coated NiTi experimental, stainless steel (SS) control and Al–SiO₂-coated SS experimental groups were 23.72 μA cm⁻², 1.21 μA cm⁻², 0.22 μA cm⁻² and 0.06 μA cm⁻², respectively. Al–SiO₂-coated NTWs with reduced corrosion current density indicated that the preparation of Al–SiO₂ coating on the surface of NiTi and SS could reduce the tendency of electrochemical corrosion. The friction coefficients of orthodontic wires in the NiTi control, NiTi experimental, SS control, and SS experimental groups were 0.68, 0.46, 0.58 and 0.45, respectively. A low friction coefficient was observed in the Al–SiO₂-coated NTWs, and the reduced friction coefficient improved the efficiency of orthodontics. Furthermore, the excellent biocompatibility of the NTWs and SS coated with Al–SiO₂ indicates that Al–SiO₂ as a novel aesthetic layer could improve the physicochemical properties of NTW and SS without causing cytotoxicity, which has considerable potential for modification of NTW and SS surfaces. Full article

(1) Background: Orthodontic appliances have changed and improved with the increasing demand for orthodontic treatment of the general population. Patients desire for shorter orthodontic treatments and for the wearing of more aesthetic devices has led to the technological development of orthodontic brackets; these were manufactured from aesthetic materials (ceramics, composite polymers) and presented different designs regarding the way archwires are ligated to the bracket. The aim of this study was to determine whether there were any differences between the static frictional forces generated by stainless steel (metallic) and polycrystalline alumina (ceramics) conventional and self-ligating brackets. (2) Methods: Static friction assessment was carried out in vitro with a universal testing machine, HV-500N-S (Schmidt Control Instruments, Hans Schmidt & Co. GmbH), intended for measuring compression and traction forces. (3) Results: The study revealed significant differences in static frictional forces at the bracket-archwire interface between the tested brackets. Stainless steel brackets produced lower static friction forces than polycrystalline alumina and self-ligating brackets generally produced lower static frictional forces than conventional brackets. The reduction of frictional forces was noticeable in the first stages of treatment, when thin, flexible orthodontic archwires (0.016” NiTi) are used. Engaged with large rectangular stainless steel archwires, (0.019 × 0.025” SS), the frictional forces produced by conventional and self-ligating metal brackets were similar, no significant differences being observed between the two types of metallic design. However, in the case of tested ceramic brackets, the results showed that the self-ligating type allows a reduction in frictional forces even in advanced stages of treatment compared to conventionally ligation. (4) Conclusions: From the perspective of an orthodontic system with low frictional forces, metal brackets are preferable to aesthetic ones, and self-ligating ceramic brackets are preferable to conventional ceramic brackets. Full article

The wear behaviour and chemical composition of orthodontic components influence the mechanical characteristics of a fixed orthodontic treatment. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the surface alterations of different types of brackets (aesthetic, metallic, and conventional self-ligating) and archwires (superelastic and thermal) subjected to wear tests through optical microscopy and, subsequently, to identify the chemical elements of accessories by X-ray fluorescence. The cycles (5000 for each bracket and 10,000 for each wire) of the tribological test were carried out in dry conditions inside a machine that allows alternating sliding. The results of the study highlighted different wear behaviours even within the same type of brackets and archwires. The monocrystalline sapphire brackets maintain their aesthetic properties despite traces of wear inside the slots and contain minimal amounts of nickel. Superelastic NiTi archwires have a better overall rating than thermal wires, as they do not show significant surface wear alterations. Full article