Comparison of changes in irregularity and transverse width with nickel-titanium and niobium-titanium-tantalum-zirconium archwires during initial orthodontic alignment in adolescents: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial was to compare the clinical efficiency of nickel-titanium (NiTi) and niobium-titanium-tantalum-zirconium (TiNbTaZr) archwires during initial orthodontic alignment. Materials and Methods: All subjects (ages between 12 and 20 years) underwent nonextraction treatment using 0.022-inch brackets. All patients were randomized into two groups for initial alignment with 0.016-inch NiTi archwires (n ¼ 14), or with 0.016-inch TiNbTaZr archwires (n ¼ 14). Digital scans were taken during the course of treatment and were used to compare the improvement in Little's Irregularity Index and the changes in intercanine and intermolar widths. Results: There was approximately a 27% reduction in crowding during the first month with the use of 0.016-inch TiNbTaZr (Gummetal) wire, and an additional 25% decrease in crowding was observed during the next month. There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups in the decrease in irregularity over time (P ¼ .29). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the changes in intercanine and intermolar width (P ¼ .80). Conclusions: It can be concluded that Gummetal wires and conventional NiTi wires possess a similar ability to align teeth, and Gummetal wires have additional advantages over conventional NiTi, such as formability and use in patients with nickel allergy. (Angle Orthod. 2018;88:348-354.)

Mandibular arch dimensional changes subsequent to utilizing nickel-titanium and nickel – free orthodontic arch wires: A prospective clinical study

“…However, there are some restrictions to NiTi wires as in patients with nickel sensitivity (9) . In these cases, an alternative arch wire was proposed such as nickel-free Gummetal arch wire that was suggested to applies light continuous forces (13) . In addition, multistrand (Supercable) NiTi arch wires were developed to provide greater spring back, increased resistance to deformation, and low force delivery, compared with the conventional singlestrand one (16) .…”

“…The inter-canine width was measured as the distance from cusp tip of one lower canine to the cusp tip of the contralateral one, the inter 1 st premolar width was measured as the distance from the tip of buccal cusp of one lower first premolar to the contralateral one and the inter-molar width was measured as the distance from the central fossa of one lower first permanent molar to the contra lateral one (13) . These changes were measured by the software (Fig.…”

“…These changes were measured by the software (Fig. 1) for each patient in the 3 groups at T0 and T3 intervals (13) .…”

“…Currently, several laboratory and experimental studies tested properties, safety, and allergenicity of titanium niobium alloys (12) . However, consistent with available literature, very little clinical information regarding the efficiency of Gummetal arch wire is available (13) .…”

“…Unfortunately, however, few clinical studies (13,16,17) are existing that investigated the effect of these the above-mentioned arch wires on the arch dimensions during initial orthodontic stage. According to the current knowledge, no clinical reports are available that compared singlestrand and multistrand NiTi arch wires with the nickel-free Gummetal one.…”