Properties Of Orthodontic Materials

Properties Of Orthodontic Materials

The ideal properties of orthodontic material are as follows:

“Importance of material selection in orthodontics”

• Modulus of Elasticity
  • The force applied to the teeth is for a given design and direction is directly proportional to the wire’s modulus of elasticity.
  • Biologically, wire definitely has to deliver low constant force.
• Spring back
  • Orthodontic materials should have low stiffness or good spring back.
  • Arch wire should ideally possess high spring back which leads to increase in its range of action.
  • It is also known as elastic deflection.
  • It is a measure of how far an orthodontic wire can be deflected without causing permanent deformation.

“Common orthodontic materials and their properties”

• Stiffess
  • Stiffess of arch wire should be low which produces lower and constant forces over the time.
• Resilience
  • Resilience is the amount of force that the wire can absorb without undergoing permanent deformation.
  • Arch wires should exhibit high resiliency to increase working range of appliance.

“Elastic properties of orthodontic elastics”

• Formability
  • Formability represents the amount of permanent bending that the wire will tolerate before it breaks.
  • The arch wire should exhibit high formability to withstand high forces.
  • Ease of manipulation should be present.
• Ductility
  • A ductile orthodontic wire/material can be formed into various shapes such as coils, loops, etc. without undergoing permanent deformation.

“Treatment implications of orthodontic material properties”

• Joinability
  • The orthodontic wire should be easily joined by soldering and welding.
• Friction
  • Orthodontic wire/material should provide least friction at wire bracket interface to avoid undue strain on anchorage and limitation of tooth movement.

“Emerging research on orthodontic material properties”

• Biocompatibility
  • Arch wire/Orthodontic material should be suited with oral tissues. It should not be toxic.
  • Orthodontic material should be stable in oral environment
  • Orthodontic material provide resistance to tarnish and corrosion