To Evaluate the Effect of Prophylactic Agents on the Surface Morphology of Different Orthodontic Wires at Different Temperatures: An In vitro Study

Abstract

Aim and Objective: The aim and objective are to evaluate the effect of prophylactic agents on the surface morphology of different types of orthodontic wires of different dimensions at two different temperatures. Materials and Methods: Stainless steel (SS), NiTi, and titanium-molybdenum alloy (TMA) wires of 0.016 inch round and 0.017 inch × 0.025-inch dimensions were immersed in prophylactic agents such as 0.2% NaF, 0.2% CHx and 1.23% APF for 1.5 h at 37°C and 45°C. A one-way analysis of variance, Bonferroni test, and intraclass correlation coefficient test was performed to eliminate the bias. Scanning electron microscope was used to evaluate the surface characteristics of wire and quantitative analysis was performed using ImageJ software. Results: Highest corrosion can be seen on TMA wires of 0.016 inch and 0.017 inch × 0.025 inch when exposed to 1.23% APF gel at 45°C and lowest corrosion can be seen on SS wires of 0.017 inch × 0.025 inch when exposed to 0.2% NaF mouthwash at 37°C. Conclusion: The results suggest that sodium fluoride is the mouthwash of choice when used with all three types of orthodontic wires used for different orthodontic purposes and APF gel should not be recommended when TMA wires are used at high temperatures as it causes corrosion which can lead to increased friction.