3D biomechanics evaluation of the NiTi composed T-Loop springs

• Grant number: 11/12943-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2012
• End date: February 28, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Orthodontics
• Principal Investigator: Lídia Parsekian Martins
• Grantee: Lídia Parsekian Martins
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The orthodontic space closure is one of the most important and long phases of orthodontic treatment. In this sense, numerous mechanics and/or alloys may be used for this procedure. The mechanics without friction with T-loop springs has been widely studied in association with the TMA alloy (Molibdenium Titanium Alloy), whereas, the Nickel-Titanium alloy (NiTi) still needs studies. NiTi properties such as shape memory and superelasticity are interesting to tooth movement, because can generate higher rate of tooth movement and lower treatment time. All orthodontic mechanics acts three-dimensionally on the teeth involved, however, the NiTi T-loop spring has been studied only in the mesiodistal direction (X axis). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine, by assessing three-dimensionally (3D - X, Y and Z axis), the better caliber of NiTi wire, T-loop spring height and horizontal activation of the NiTi composed T-loop spring. For this, will be used 270 composed springs by NiTi T-Loop and stainless steel base wires divided into groups of 10 T-Loop composed springs according to NiTi wire caliber (,016"X,022"; ,017"X,025" and ,018"X,025"), spring height (6, 7 and 8mm) and horizontal activation (12,16 and 20mm). These springs will be tested on the OFMA (Orthodontic Force Measuring Apparatus) device for measuring 3D orthodontic force system. (AU)