Clinical importance of austenitic fi nal point in the selection of nickel-titanium alloys for application in orthodontic-use arches

Abstract

There are many nickel-titanium alloy wires available in the market.
Nevertheless not all of them possess the ideal characteristics
of shape memory and super-elasticity to be used in orthodontic
treatment. The aim of the present study was to find austenitic
final temperature of these archwires so as to determine the
transformation phase in order to better use them in orthodontics.
Methods: Eleven nickel-titanium orthodontic wires were selected.
Transformation phase was assessed using differential scanning
calorimetry method. Conclusions: The present study illustrates
how some orthodontic Ni-Ti wires elicit results contrary to those
advertised.