Comparison of Frictional Forces Between Three Grades of Low Friction "Colors" TMA

Abstract

Frictional forces between archwires and brackets play a significant role in the efficiency of orthodontic tooth movement. The purpose of this investigation were to (1) compare the wet static frictional forces of low friction "Colors" TMA ™ arch wires with arch wires of other materials (stainless steel, NiTi, and uncoated TMA ™) and (2) test the effects of repetitive sliding.

Testing was accomplished by using a cantilever testing device, which held the archwire in place between two 303 stainless steel test flats. The test flats were used to simulate an orthodontic bracket. A saliva substitute (Ringer's solution) was used to simulate the oral environment.

Six wire types (stainless steel, NiTi, TMA ™, and three types of "Colors" TMA ™ wires [purple, aqua and honeydew]). For each said wire type, 15 archwires were tested. Each archwire type was run five times at three different weights (normal forces) and each wire was subjected to five repetitions. In total, 450 runs were established.

The effects of wire type (6 types), normal force (1267g, 2153g, 2533g) and repetition (5 per wire) on wet static frictional were examined using three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Pairwise comparisons between treatment combinations were made using Sidak method to control the overall significance level. After wire testing, a sample of untested (0 runs) and tested (1 run, 5 runs) wires were viewed under a light microscope at 160X magnification.

The results indicated uncoated TMA ™ wires produced the highest wet static frictional forces. In general, NiTi produced the next highest force levels followed by the three "Colors" TMA ™ wires, and then stainless steel.

Repetition was observed to affect only NiTi and uncoated TMA TM wires. NiTi wires showed a decrease in force values between runs 1 and 5 at p < 0.05. Uncoated TMA ™ showed an increase in force values between runs 1 and 2. The cause for these findings could not be validated by light microscope evaluation.