Deflection of tandem archwire in a specific self-ligating metal bracket system: an in vitro study

Abstract The aim of this study was to quantify the force exerted by tandem archwires in a specific system of passive self-ligating bracket. Forty-eight thermo-activated nickel-titanium orthodontic archwires were separated into four groups (n = 12): G1 - two .014" + .014" round archwires; G2 - two .014" + .016" round archwires; G3 - .014" x .025" rectangular archwire; and. G4 - .016" x .022" rectangular archwire. Brackets were fixed onto teeth 1.5 to 2.5 using a device that represented the upper teeth, maintaining an interbracket distance of 6.0 mm. The deflection tests were performed using the structure representative of tooth 1.1 as support on the Instron testing machine at a speed of 2.0 mm/min. The archwires were evaluated at deflections of 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, and 1.5 mm. The data were analyzed by a generalized linear model, considering values at different deflections as repeated measurements in the same experimental unit (α = 0.5%). At 0.5 mm, higher forces were observed in G2 and G3, which did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). The lowest force was observed in G4 (p < 0.05). At 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm, the highest force was observed in G3, followed by G4 and G2 (p < 0.05). The lowest force was observed in G1 (p < 0.05). In general, tandem archwires (same or different calibers) in a specific passive self-ligating bracket exerted lower force when compared with rectangular archwires.

Effect of horizontal slot of maxillary canines' brackets with varying wire angulations - An in vitro study

Abstract A new device was developed to enable the visualization and measurement of canine angulation while at the same time visualizing and measuring the force transmitted to adjacent teeth. This study aimed to evaluate the mesiodistal tilt angle of the upper canine brackets, the wire deflection, and its effects on adjacent teeth with five different slot designs of upper canines. Wires (0.020" and 0.019" x 0.025") were tested on different five bracket types at five different distal angles. The force applied to adjacent teeth was measured as the angle was increased, and its consequences were observed in the posterior and anterior regions as well. The force tension (gf) was measured in a universal testing machine. Data were submitted to a 3-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). For both arches, regardless of the type of tooth and bracket type, the highest means tension mean values were shown by the 20° angle, followed by the 15°,10°, and 5° angles, which differed statistically among themselves. Overall, for 5°, 10°, and 15° angles, conventional and versatile brackets showed significantly higher force values in all teeth, tip-edge and control brackets showed the lowest. The highest force values were observed in central and lateral incisors with conventional and versatile brackets and on first and second premolar teeth with self-ligating passive and control brackets. Conventional brackets presented the highest forces, tip-edge and control brackets showed the lowest. The teeth that suffered the greatest forces were lateral incisors, and those that suffered the least were second premolars.

Resumo Foi desenvolvido um novo dispositivo para permitir a visualização e medição da angulação canina ao mesmo tempo que se visualiza e mede a força transmitida aos dentes adjacentes. Este estudo avaliou o ângulo de inclinação mesiodistal dos braquetes caninos superiores, a deflexão do fio, e os seus efeitos nos dentes adjacentes com cinco diferentes desenhos de ranhuras dos caninos superiores. Os fios (0,020" e 0,019" x 0,025") foram testados em cinco diferentes tipos de braquetes e ângulos distais. A força aplicada aos dentes adjacentes foi medida a medida que o ângulo era aumentado, e as suas consequências foram observadas também nas regiões posterior e anterior. A tensão da força (gf) foi medida em uma máquina de ensaio universal (Instron). Os dados foram submetidos ao teste ANOVA 3 fatores e Tukey (α=0,05). Para ambos os arcos, independentemente do tipo de dente e tipo de braquete, os valores médios de tensão mais elevados foram mostrados pelo ângulo de 20°, seguido pelos ângulos de 15°, 10°, e 5°, que diferiram estatisticamente entre si. Em geral, para ângulos de 5°, 10° e 15°, os braquetes convencionais e versáteis apresentaram valores de força significativamente mais elevados em todos os dentes, braquetes tip-edge e controle apresentaram os mais baixos. Os maiores valores de força foram observados nos incisivos centrais e laterais com braquetes convencionais e versáteis e no primeiro e segundo pré-molares com braquetes auto-ligantes passivo e controle. Os braquetes convencionais apresentaram as forças mais elevadas, os braquetes controle e tip-edge apresentaram os valores mais baixos. Os dentes que sofreram as maiores forças foram os incisivos laterais, e os que sofreram menos foram os segundos pré-molares.

Micrographic evaluation of different widia compositions of orthodontic pliers submitted to peracetic acid and intensive use / Avaliação micrográfica de diferentes composições de widia de alicates ortodônticos submetido ao ácido peracético e uso intensivo

Introduction: The sterilization and disinfection procedures should be adapted to the chemical profile of the metal alloys present in the instruments. Objective: This study aimed to perform a micrographic assessment on the surface characteristics of the widia of orthodontic pliers with two alloy compositions subjected to the action of 0.2% peracetic acid and intensive use. Material and method: Twenty distal cutting pliers were divided into two groups (n=10) according to widia composition (%wt): W1- 85% to 87% of tungsten carbide (TC) and other components in the proportion of 13% to 15% and W2 - 87.5% to 88.5% of tungsten carbide and 11.5% to 12.5% for other components. All the pliers were assessed in a stereoscopic magnifying glass (32x) after three treatments: before use (T0); after cutting 100 segments of rectangular stainless-steel wires - intensive use (T1); and after 100 sterilization cycles in 0.2% peracetic acid and intensive use (T2). The cutting sites of all pliers were standardized. Widia regions were defined by line "A" representing T1 and line "B" representing T2. A frequency distribution table and Fisher's exact test (α=0.05) was performed. We assessed two widia from each composition and treatment in SEM and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS/SEM). Result: The results showed that W1 pliers presented significantly fewer defects after the sterilization cycles with peracetic acid and intensive use than W2 pliers (p=0.0198). There were no differences between both pliers after intensive use (p=1.000). Conclusion: The SEM images and EDS analyses showed changes in widia surfaces after the different treatments. Widia composition affected the resistance of the orthodontic pliers after sterilization cycles with 0.2% peracetic acid and intensive use.

Introdução: Os procedimentos de esterilização e desinfecção devem ser adaptados ao perfil químico das ligas metálicas presentes nos instrumentos. Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo foi realizar uma avaliação micrográfica das características da superfície da widia de alicates ortodônticos com duas composições de ligas submetidas à ação de ácido peracético a 0,2% e uso intensivo. Material e método: Vinte alicates de corte distal foram divididos em dois grupos (n=10), de acordo com a composição widia (% em peso): W1- 85% a 87% de carboneto de tungstênio e outros componentes na proporção de 13% a 15% e W2 - 87,5% a 88,5% de carboneto de tungstênio e 11,5% a 12,5% para outros componentes. Os alicates foram avaliados em uma lupa estereoscópica (32x) após três tratamentos: antes do uso (T0); após corte de 100 segmentos de fios retangulares de aço inoxidável- uso intensivo (T1); após 100 ciclos de esterilização em ácido peracético a 0,2% e uso intensivo (T2). Os locais de corte dos alicates foram definidos pela linha "A" representando T1 e pela linha "B" representando T2. Foi realizada uma tabela de distribuição de frequências e o teste exato de Fisher (α=0,05). As widias foram avaliadas em MEV e Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva. Resultado: Os alicates W1 apresentaram defeitos significativamente menores após os ciclos de esterilização com ácido peracético e uso intensivo do que os alicates W2 (p=0,0198). Não houve diferenças entre os dois alicates após uso intensivo (p=1.000). Conclusão: As imagens de MEV/EDS mostraram alterações nas superfícies widia após os diferentes tratamentos. A composição widia afetou a resistência do alicate ortodôntico após ciclos de esterilização com ácido peracético a 0,2% e uso intensivo.

Can the chlorhexidine gluconate solution potentiate the staining of polycrystalline ceramic brackets?

Aim: The present study aimed to assess, in vitro, the effect of chlorhexidine on the potentiation of polycrystalline ceramic bracket staining. Methods: Seventy-two polycrystalline ceramic brackets of upper right central incisors were divided into six groups (n=12) according to immersion solution. The groups were G1 - distilled water (control); G2 - chlorhexidine; G3 - coffee; G4 - red wine; G5 - chlorhexidine associated with coffee; and G6 - chlorhexidine associated with red wine. The samples were analyzed by means of a spectrophotometer according to the CIEL*a*b* system, and color change (ΔE*) was calculated. The readings were performed at the following times: T0 - After package removal and T1 - After staining. The data were analyzed by Kruskal Wallis and t tests (p<0.05) at 5% significance level. Results: The total color variation (ΔE*) was greater in the group that received chlorhexidine associated with red wine (p<0.05) and lower in the groups that received distilled water. All other groups showed greater value variations when compared to G1 and G2. Group G6 showed a greater color change due to the potentiation of chlorhexidine with the dye substance. Conclusion: It is concluded that chlorhexidine potentiates the staining caused by red wine in polycrystalline ceramic brackets

Evaluation of different types of self-ligating brackets guided by electromagnetic field simulator on rotational control

Aim: The objective of this study was to measure and compare the in vitro performance of active and passive self-ligating brackets in orthodontic rotation by means of an electromagneticfield simulation. Methods: The study sample consisted of 32 mandibular right central incisor brackets (n=8), slot 0.022", that were divided into the following groups: 1) BioQuick® (Forestadent, Pforzheim, Germany) active brackets; 2) In- Ovation®R (Dentsply-GAC, Central Islip, New York, USA) active brackets; 3) Damon-Q® (Ormco, Orange, California, USA) passive brackets, and 4) Smartclip® (3M, Monrovia, California, USA) passive brackets. The orthodontic wire used was CuNiTi round section 0.016", thermoactivated at 35o C (ORMCO- Orthodontics Glendora, California, USA). The experiment wasperformed in a simulator machine, composed of two fixedlateral axes and a movable central axis, which simulated the dental rotation. Qualitative analysis (n = 4) was performed using SEM. After the descriptive and exploratory analysis, the yield and grade data were submitted to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey test, considering the level ofsignificance of 5%. Results: In-Ovation®R brackets showedsignificantly higher yield than BioQuick® and Damon-Q®. Damon-Q® brackets presented a significantly lower mean valuethan In-Ovation R and Smartclip®. BioQuick® did not differsignificantly from Damon-Q® and Smartclip®. In-Ovation®R did not differ significantly from Smartclip®. Conclusion: In the present study, it was observed that there is a difference in rotational control in the different self-ligating brackets tested being the best rotational control was the In-Ovation R® group (active), followed in descending order by the groups Smartclip® (passive), Bioquick® (active) and Damon Q® (passive)

Radiographic analysis of factors predisposing toward tendon tears in the knee extensor mechanism

Objectives: To review radiographs of patients who suffered tendon tears of the knee extensor apparatus and observe alterations that might be factors predisposing toward this type of injury. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 60 cases of injury to the knee extensor mechanism that were treated surgically at the Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital between March 2004 and March 2011. Four patients were excluded due to poor quality of the examination. Results: Of the 56 patients evaluated, 23 were considered to be normal and 33 presented radiographic alterations. Among these, eight (24.3%) presented suprapatellar osteophytes alone; seven (21.2%), infrapatellar calcification; seven (21.2%), suprapatellar calcification; six (18.2%), supra- and infrapatellar osteophytes; and five (15.1%), infrapatellar osteophytes alone. Conclusion: Radiographic alterations were frequently observed in patients with extensor mechanism tears...

Objetivos: Revisar radiografias de pacientes vítimas de rupturas tendinosas do aparelho extensor do joelho e observar alterações que possam ser um fator predisponente a esse tipo de lesão. Métodos: Analisamos, retrospectivamente, 60 lesões do mecanismo extensor do joelho, tratadas cirurgicamente no Hospital Municipal Miguel Couto, de março de 2004 a março de 2011, e quatro pacientes foram excluídos por má qualidade do exame. Resultados: Dos 56 pacientes avaliados, 23 foram considerados normais e 33 apresentaram alterações radiográficas, oito (24,3%) com presença de osteófito suprapatelar isolado, sete (21,2%) com calcificação infrapatelar, sete (21,2%) com calcificação suprapatelar, seis (18,2%) com osteófitos supra e infrapatelares e cinco (15,1%) com osteófito infrapatelar isolado. Conclusão: As alterações radiográficas foram frequentes em pacientes com ruptura do mecanismo extensor...