ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different salivary pH on the surface of orthodontic wires. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and seventy wire segments of titanium-molybdenum alloy (TMA), and Cr-Ni stainless steel , subjected to saliva pH 2.0 , 5.0 and 7.6 , in three different times of storage, divided into 3 groups (n=30). Group 1: TMA (Morelli), Group 2: TMA (Ormco) and Group 3: Stainless steel Cr-Ni (Morelli). To read the roughness profilometer was used Mitutoyo Surftest Digital-301. Observation of the surface morphology was performed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: Between the results is that the lower the pH more roughness was found. No changes were observed on the wires roughness of group 3. In the evaluation of SEM, changes were found in surface TMA wires in pH 2 and 5, the steel wires no changes superficias. CONCLUSION: The acidic pH and time showed effects on TMA's wires. The stainless steel wires showed no changes. We conclude that the stainless wires have greater resistance to salivary pH.