EFFECTS OF FLUORIDE PROPHYLACTIC AGENTS ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ORTHODONTIC ARCH WIRES- AN INVITRO STUDY

Abstract

Background And Objectives: There are the rising demand for esthetic orthodontic appliances and wires such as braided and co-axial wires. The effect of prophylactic agents on these relatively newly introduced arch wires are scarcely reported. Hence this study was undertaken to assess the effects of prophylactic uoride agents (1.Acidulated uoride agent (Phos-ur gel), 2. Neutral uoride agent (Prevident 5000)on the mechanical properties of non-coated Nickel-Titanium orthodontic wires and compare it with coated esthetic Ni-Ti wires and braided Ni-Ti wire. Materials And Methods: Total of 270 specimens of rectangular orthodontic nickel titanium arch wires were selected for this study and divided into three groups. All the three groups of wires (30 each) were immersed in 5 ml of articial saliva in plastic vials for 2 months (control). No uoride agents were used in sub-group a. Sub-group b and sub-group c samples were subjected to application of Phos-ur gel and Prevident 5000 respectively, one minute daily for 2 months. All the wires were tested for mechanical properties. Results: The results of the study showed that the mechanical properties of all the three groups of wires were affected by both acidulated uoride agent (Phos-ur gel) and neutral uoride agent (Prevident 5000). Conclusion: The study results proved that uoride prophylactic agents (mouthwash or gels) reduce the arch wire properties during orthodontic treatment.