Evaluation of kinetic friction between regular and colored titanium molybdenum alloy archwires

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the kinetic frictional properties of colored titanium molybdenum alloy (TMA) archwires (purple-coated TMA and honey dew-coated TMA) and the regular TMA archwires. Materials and Methods: The experiment comprised of three groups, Group I – Regular TMA archwires, Group II – Purple-coated TMA archwires, Group III – Honey dew-coated TMA wires involving 21 samples each that were evaluated for their frictional properties using Instron Universal Testing Machine. Results: The results were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance wherein Group I Regular TMA wires revealed mean kinetic frictional value of 8.236 N and a standard deviation of 0.4038 N, while Group II (purple-coated TMA wires) showed a mean value of 5.297 N, standard deviation of 0.3128 N and Group III (honey dew-coated TMA wires) showed a mean value of 4.206 N and a standard deviation of 0.5353 N. Conclusion: The kinetic frictional values are higher for regular TMA wire exhibiting superior characteristic of color-coated TMA. Wires exhibiting superior characteristics are color-coated TMA wires, especially honey dew-coated TMA wires over the regular and purple-coated TMA wires. These superior properties of newly introduced wires can be considered for its application in both details friction and frictionless mechanics in retraction phase of fixed orthodontic treatment.