Background As the only active component in final treatment phase of Tip-Edge Plus technique, the activation of nickel-titanium orthodontic archwires is one of the factors that affect the torque expression. It is neces...Background As the only active component in final treatment phase of Tip-Edge Plus technique, the activation of nickel-titanium orthodontic archwires is one of the factors that affect the torque expression. It is necessary to evaluate the mechanical properties of the nickel-titanium wire used in the final treatment phase in simulated oral environments to forecast the treatment outcomes. Methods The mechanical properties of 171 thermal nickel-titanium wires of 0.35 mm （0.014-in） in diameters with different deflection of 40 mm in length were investigated with three-point bending test. The samples were divided into 2 groups： as-received and bended groups. In the bended group, samples were divided into 7 subgroups according to the amounts of deflection and named by the canine angulations （-25~, -19~, -13~, -7~, -1~, ＋5~, ＋11~）. The deflection of wires was made by inserting the wires into the deep tunnel of Tip-Edge Plus brackets positioned in plaster casts with different canine angulations to mimic the use of nickel-titanium wires in the final treatment phase. Immersed the bended group in artificial saliva （pH 6.8） and preserved at 37.0~C. Eight durations of incubation were tested： 1 to 8 weeks. Three analogous samples of each group and subgroups were tested per week. Stiffness （YS：E） and the load-deflection characteristics of unloading plateau section were obtained. Results Significant changes in specific mechanical properties were observed in long-term immersed and large deflected wires compared with as-received groups. Both immersion time and deflection affected the mechanical properties of wires in the simulated oral environment, and the two factors had synergistic effect. In groups -25~, -19~ and -13~, stiffness （YS：E） increased then decreased and average plateau force and ratio of variance decreased then increased correspondingly at specific time. Conclusions In the final treatment phase of Tip-Edge Plus technique, the mechanical properties of nickel-titanium wire are associated w展开更多
文摘Background As the only active component in final treatment phase of Tip-Edge Plus technique, the activation of nickel-titanium orthodontic archwires is one of the factors that affect the torque expression. It is necessary to evaluate the mechanical properties of the nickel-titanium wire used in the final treatment phase in simulated oral environments to forecast the treatment outcomes. Methods The mechanical properties of 171 thermal nickel-titanium wires of 0.35 mm （0.014-in） in diameters with different deflection of 40 mm in length were investigated with three-point bending test. The samples were divided into 2 groups： as-received and bended groups. In the bended group, samples were divided into 7 subgroups according to the amounts of deflection and named by the canine angulations （-25~, -19~, -13~, -7~, -1~, ＋5~, ＋11~）. The deflection of wires was made by inserting the wires into the deep tunnel of Tip-Edge Plus brackets positioned in plaster casts with different canine angulations to mimic the use of nickel-titanium wires in the final treatment phase. Immersed the bended group in artificial saliva （pH 6.8） and preserved at 37.0~C. Eight durations of incubation were tested： 1 to 8 weeks. Three analogous samples of each group and subgroups were tested per week. Stiffness （YS：E） and the load-deflection characteristics of unloading plateau section were obtained. Results Significant changes in specific mechanical properties were observed in long-term immersed and large deflected wires compared with as-received groups. Both immersion time and deflection affected the mechanical properties of wires in the simulated oral environment, and the two factors had synergistic effect. In groups -25~, -19~ and -13~, stiffness （YS：E） increased then decreased and average plateau force and ratio of variance decreased then increased correspondingly at specific time. Conclusions In the final treatment phase of Tip-Edge Plus technique, the mechanical properties of nickel-titanium wire are associated w
