Mechanical properties of orthodontic wires made of super engineering plastic

Dent Mater J. 2015;34(1):114-9. doi: 10.4012/dmj.2014-202. Epub 2015 Jan 17.

Abstract

Most orthodontic equipment is fabricated from alloys such as stainless steel, Co-Cr and Ni-Ti because of their excellent elastic properties. In recent years, increasing esthetic demands, metal allergy and interference of metals with magnetic resonance imaging have driven the development of non-metallic orthodontic materials. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of using three super engineering plastics (PEEK, PES and PVDF) as orthodontic wires. PES and PVDF demonstrated excellent esthetics, although PEEK showed the highest bending strength and creep resistance. PEEK and PVDF showed quite low water absorption. Because of recent developments in coloration of PEEK, we conclude that PEEK has many advantageous properties that make it a suitable candidate for use as an esthetic metal-free orthodontic wire.

MeSH terms

  • Benzophenones
  • Dental Stress Analysis
  • Elasticity
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Ketones / chemistry*
  • Materials Testing
  • Orthodontic Wires*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polyvinyls / chemistry*
  • Sulfones / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties
  • Tensile Strength

Substances

  • Benzophenones
  • Ketones
  • Polymers
  • Polyvinyls
  • Sulfones
  • polyvinylidene fluoride
  • polyether sulfone
  • polyetheretherketone
  • Polyethylene Glycols