Abstract
Orthodontic appliances usually require the joining of different stainless-steel parts in order to achieve adequate control over tooth movement during the active treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the tensile and shear breaking force of the joints between forty orthodontic bands and forty attachments (buccal tubes), joined by laser and TIG welding, without filler material. For the laser welding technique, we used an XXS Laser (OROTIG) welding unit and for the TIG welding technique, a PUK D2 (LAMPERT) welding unit. The tensile and shear breaking force of the welded joints was determined using the Z010 Zwick/Roell testing machine. The independent-samples t-test showed statistically significant differences between the laser and TIG groups for both the tensile and the shear breaking force tests, the laser welded samples having better mechanical strength than the TIG welded samples. For practical use, under normal loading forces, both techniques are suitable for this particular application in orthodontics. In patients with parafunctional habits, that could develop higher bite forces, the failure of the welded joints might occur if the welding surface is not increased, especially for the TIG welding technique.
Highlights
Orthodontic appliances usually require the joining of different metal parts in order to achieve adequate control over tooth movement during the active treatment
Laser and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding systems offer several advantages over conventional welding techniques: more ergonomic working conditions, because of the stereomicroscope included with the welding units, higher precision and the possibility to prevent oxidation of the welding area using a shielding atmosphere of argon [11]
The joints between stainless-steel orthodontic bands and buccal tube attachments joined by laser welding without filler material showed better mechanical strength than the samples joined by TIG welding, when subjected to tensile and shear breaking forces
Summary
Orthodontic appliances usually require the joining of different stainless-steel parts in order to achieve adequate control over tooth movement during the active treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the tensile and shear breaking force of the joints between forty orthodontic bands and forty attachments (buccal tubes), joined by laser and TIG welding, without filler material. Orthodontic appliances usually require the joining of different metal parts in order to achieve adequate control over tooth movement during the active treatment. The components of the fixed orthodontic appliances are joined together using different methods, with or without filler material: soldering, plasma welding, resistance (spot) welding, single pulse tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding or laser welding [4]. The aim of this study was to assess the tensile and shear breaking force of the joints between the bands and the attachments (buccal tubes), joined by laser and TIG welding, without filler material
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