Comparison of arch width and depth changes and pain/discomfort with conventional and copper Ni-Ti archwires for mandibular arch alignment

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare conventional nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) and copper Ni-Ti archwires in the leveling of mandibular anterior teeth. Materials and MethodsStudy models of 32 patients who received full fixed appliance treatment with 0.022 × 0.028-inch slot self-ligating brackets were analyzed. The copper Ni-Ti group had ligated 0.014-inch Cu-Ni-Ti at T0 (pretreatment) followed by 0.016-inch Cu-Ni-Ti at T1 (2-month interval). In the conventional Ni-Ti group, the archwire sequence involved a conventional 0.014-inch Ni-Ti at T0 and 0.016-inch Ni-Ti at T1. Pretreatment (T0) and posttreatment (4 months after initial treatment) characteristics were recorded from dental casts and included irregularity index, intercanine width, interpremolar width, intermolar width, and canine depth, premolar depth, and molar depth. Each subject was given a specially designed visual analog scale diary, and was asked to complete it over the first month following the first and second arch wires. ResultsThere were no significant differences between the copper Ni-Ti and conventional Ni-Ti groups at 16 weeks in Little's irregularity score changes (P > 0.05). Also, there were no significant differences in intercanine widths, interpremolar width, intermolar width, and depth changes between the copper Ni-Ti and Ni-Ti groups (P > 0.05). Pain score changes between different treatment periods were the same between the copper Ni-Ti and Ni-Ti groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionsCopper Ni-Ti archwires were no more efficient than Ni-Ti archwires in leveling of the mandibular anterior teeth changes in arch dimensions in patients with moderate dental irregularity. Changes in mandibular arch dimensions were similar in the copper Ni-Ti and Ni-Ti groups.