Good morning 1

ORTHODONTIC WIRE
(NiTi )
 CONTENTS
I. Nickel Titanium Wires
Introduction
Classification
Composition
Physical Properties
Advantages and Disadvantages
Chinese NiTi
Japanese NiTi
Cu-NiTi
NICKEL TITANIUM ALLOYS
 EVOLUTION
1962 - The first titanium alloys introduced into
orthodontic market by William F Buehler(a research
metallurgist at the naval ordinance laboratory)
NI TI NOL
1970 - Dr.George Andreason introduced NiTi to
orthodontics as this alloy can regain its original shape
on heating(original alloy -55% nickel and 45% titanium).

• So these wires are much advanced now and remain

mainstay wire in initial alignment stages

Martensitic stabilized (M-NiTi)

excellent springback & quite strong
no superelasticity or shape memory

• Newer M-NiTi – similar springiness but better

formability
eg: Titanal
Orthonol
• Late 1980s – NiTi with active martensitic grain
structure
eg: Neo Sentalloy
Burstone et al – Chinese (1985)
Miura et al – Japanese NiTi (1986)
Newer NiTi – NiTi with active austenitic grain structure
High spring back
Shape memory
Super elasticity.
eg: Cu-NiTi
 NiTi alloy exists in two crystallographic forms-
• Austenitic
• Martensitic
 AUSTENITIC FORM(A-NiTi)

It shows body centered cube(BCC) crystalline

structure and exists at a higher temperature
range. stiffer and not plastically deformable.
 MARTENSITIC FORM(M-NiTi)
It exists as hexagonal closed pack(HCP)
crystal lattice structure and exist at a
lower temperature range as compared to
A-NiTi is ductile and plastically
deformable.
 Physical properties of NiTi alloy
Two unique properties-
• Shape memory
• Superelasicity
Normal Alloy
NiTi
 SHAPE MEMORY

Shape memory refers to the ability of

the material to “remember” its original
shape after being plastically deformed
while in the martensitic form when it is
heated through TTR.
 TTR

This alloy had ability to change crystalline form

with changes in temperature. Buehler termed
the temperature at which this change took
place as temperature transition range or TTR.
WIRE SHAPE IS FORMED-AT HIGH TEMPERATURE
FAR ABOVE TTR

DEFORM TO ANY CONFIGURATION BY COOLING

BELOW TTR

AS WIRE IS WARMED THROUGH TTR-WOULD

RECOVER ITS ORIGINAL SHAPE COMPLETELY

• George Andreasen recognised potential of wire

in orthodontics and brought TTR near oral temp.
Dental Press J Orthod. 2012

37°C – 10°C range is large and the wire would be too stiff
working as a stiff elastic wire, without presenting the effect of
superelasticity.

However, if produced to have an Af of 27°C, the gradient would

be 37°C – 27°C, therefore, islands of unstable martensite would
be present and the wire would show superelasticity.
 SUPERELASTICITY

• It is ability of wire to sustain or deliver

constant force over wide range of activation.

• Stress is used instead of temp. to change

austenite to martensite and back to austenite.

• When stress is diminished, niti returns to

previous shape without any deformation
 LOADING
(P D)

(E D of M structure)

Hysteresis
(Transfn to M)
A-B (Transfn completed)
ase)
A ph
D of
stic
(Ela
 UNLOADING
If stress released before reaching
permanent deformation.

Hysteresis
A-B Elastic unloading of M

(Reverse transformation)
(A Structure restored.)

(Elastic unloading of A)
Classification
 Based on Elasticity

Conventional Newer
(Elastic) (Superelastic)

Pseudoelastic Thermoelastic
Martensitic stabilized alloy (Austenitic active alloy) (Martensitic active alloy)

eg: Nitinol Sentalloy™-

Japanese NiTi
Chinese niti GAC
Copper NiTi
 Based on Grain Structure
By Kusy

• Martensitic Stabilized alloy- No shape memory

or superelasticity because cold working of wire
creates stable martensitic structure.It can be
deformed permanently if certain limit is
exceeded or due to long remaining in mouth.
ex-Nitinol
• Martensitic Active alloy- thermoelastic shape
memory-oral env increase temp of deformed
archwire with martensitic str so that it
transforms back into austenitic str n return to
its original shape
Neo Sentalloy, Cu NiTi
Austenitic Active alloy- superelastic.These undergo
stress induced martensitic transformation when
activated.Reverse transformation from martensite back
to austenite take pace during deactivation or unloading
Japanese NiTi wires,chinese NiTi wires
 CONVENTIONAL (ELASTIC)
• It has low stiffness, so it provides low force per
unit of deactivation.
• They are heavily cold worked and have stable
martensite form.
• Wire is quiet springy delivering only 1/5th to
1/6th force per unit of deactivation and
thereby meeting criteria for light continuous
force.
 DISADVANTAGES
• Lack of formability
• Lacks shape memory effect due to cold
working
• Brittle
• Ex- nitinol, titanol, orthonol
Storage of 0.016~inch nitinol wire in a simulated oral environment
(37” C) for 1 to 4 months when compared to unstrained samples
“off the shelf’
significantly decreases ultimate tensile strength, modulus of
elasticity and 0.2% yield strength.
long-term use of nitinol wires would be associated with decreased
performance
The stiffness of an 0.018 inch Ni-Ti wire is less than an 0.012 inch S.S.
wire by only 20 percent, while the range is 2.6 times greater.
even lighter forces can be applied over a greater range in Ni-Ti wire
than in S.S. wire.
 CHINESE NITI WIRE
CHINESE NiTi wire - A new orthodontic alloy
- C. J. BURSTONE ( AJO JUNE 1985)

New NiTi by Dr.Tien Hua Cheng and associates at the General

Research Institute for non Ferrous Metals, in Beijing, China.

• Austenitic parent phase + Little work hardened. Hence differ

from nitinol wire
• Chinese NiTi wire has much lower transitional temperature than
the conventional NiTi wire ie nitinol.
• Produces constant forces over large range of
action

• Large activation has stiffness 7% comparable

to stainless steel and small activations has
28%stiffness compared to SS wire
• It has springback 1.6times as nitinol and 4.4
times of ss wire without deformation

• At high temp shows permanent deformation

and springback property is reduced
 USES
• When teeth are severely malaligned and in
appliance designed to deliver constant forces
during major stages of tooth movement

• It is highly suitable if low stiffness is required

and large deflection are needed
 JAPANESE NITI
The super-elastic property of the Japanese NiTi alloy wire
for use in orthodontics.
- Fujio Miura et al (AJODO July1986)

In 1978 Furukawa electric co.ltd of Japan produced a new

type of alloy with
1. High spring back.
2. Shape memory.
3. Super elasticity.
• Can also be used to fabricate coil springs

• Research shows that by use of controlled heat

treatment process, it is possible to bend wire
and change load value of superelastic activity to
a desired level without losing mechanical
properties

• Least to undergo permanent deformation

• Stress remain constant despite of strain

• Higher modulus of elasticity than nitinol

• At higher temp super elasticity and springback

properties decreases>500 degrees

• Preferred as produce constant force for long

period of time during deactivation which is
desired for tooth movement

• Individualized force can be applied on wire of

same diameter by applying adequate
temperature on that segment
 COPPER NiTi
VARIABLE TRANSFORMATION TEMPERATURE ORTHODONTICS
- ROHIT C. L. SACHDEVA AND SUCHIO MIUASAKI IN 1994

Most recent introduction in family of NiTi alloy QUATERNARY

METAL –

Nickel, Titanium, Copper, 5-6%. Chromium 0.2-0.5%.

martensitic active wire
Copper increases its strength and enhances thermal reactive
properties and creates a consistent unloading force(reduced
mechanical hysteresis)which makes it easier to insert larger
sized rectangular wires without patient discomfort
 CLASSIFICATION

Type I Af - 150 C generates high forces so limited clinical indications

Type II Af - 270 C moderate too high forces. Most popular.used in

pts with moderate pain threshold and rapid tooth movement is
required

Type III Af -350 mid range force have low pain threshold
periodontium is compromised n lower forces are desired

Type IV Af - 400 C very low forces. For pts sensitive to pain

compromised periodontal condition
ADVANTAGES OF COPPER NiTi ALLOYS
OVER OTHER NiTi WIRES
• Smaller loading force for the same degree of
deformation. (20% less ).this makes it possible
to engage severely malposed teeth with less
patient discomfort.
• Reduced hysteresis makes to exert consistent
tooth movement and reduced trauma
• More resistance to permanent deformation
therefore exhibit better springback than others
• Patient can control deactivation of engaged wire
by cold application thereby reducing discomfort
• Generate more constant force over long
activation
 CLINICAL IMPLICATION
• Alignment of malposed teeth with large deflections
• Molar Distalization
• Arch Expansion
• In periodontally compromised patients
• For permanent retention
 LIMITATIONS OF NITI WIRES

• Low formability
• Cannot be welded or soldered due to passivating
nature of titanium oxide
• Unsuitable for retraction due to high frictional
forces
• Have highest Ni content-55%-hypersensitive
reactions. Ti or epoxy coated wires are preferred
for such patients
 NICKEL ALLERGY
DIAGNOSIS
• H/O previous allergic response after wearing earings
or a metal watchstrap
• Appearance of allergy symptoms shortly after initial
insertion of orthodontic components containing nickel
• Confined extraoral rash adjacent to headgear studs
POSSIBLE RISKS
• Risk of nephrotoxicity
• Carcinogenecity
• Immune changes and alveolar bone loss
• Cytotoxicity
 ALTERNATIVES
• Twist flex stainless steel
• Fibre-reinforced composite archwires
• TMA
• Pure titanium
• Gold plated wires
• Plastic/resin coated NiTi archwires
• Ion implanted NiTi archwires
 Biocompatib
ility
Stored & Jointabilit
Wire Type Springback Stiffness Formability Friction
Energy Environmen y
tal
Stability

Solderable
Stainless
Low High Good Low Low Good &
Steel
Weldable

Nickel- Low to Not

High Low Poor High Good
Titanium Moderate Joinable

Beta-
Titanium Average Average Good Average High Good Weldable
 Comparative Properties
PROPERTY S.S TMA NiTi
Cost Low Highest High
Force delivery High Intermediate Light
Elastic range Low Intermediate High
Formability Excellent Excellent Poor
Ease of joining Can be Only wire that Cant be
soldered has true soldered or
Can be welded weldability welded
Friction Lower Higher Higher
Concern about Some None Some
biocompatibilit
y
 REFERENCES
•Jasmeen Kaur, Neeraj Mahajan, Sahil Jindal.a review orthodontic
wires.Journal of dental herald.2015;4(2)

•Marco Abdo Gravina, Cristiane Canavarro, Carlos Nelson Elias, Maria

das Graças Afonso Miranda Chaves,Ione Helena Vieira Portella
Brunharo, Cátia Cardoso Abdo Quintão.Mechanical properties of
NiTi and CuNiTi wires used in orthodontic treatment. Dental Press J
Orthod. 2014 Jan-Feb;19(1):69-76

•CHARLES J. BURSTONE.welding of tma wire.JCO 1987

•Neethu Philip, Subha Sunny, Lenin Abraham George, PJ

AntonyNewer Orthodontic Archwires: Imparting Efficacy to
Esthetics.Inter Journ of Oral Health Dent; April Jun2016;2(2):102-105
• Marcelo do Amaral Ferreira, Marco Antônio Luersen, Paulo César
Borges.nickel-titanium alloys:a systematic review.Dental Press J Orthod.
2012 May-June;17(3):71-82.

• JON GOLDBERG and CHARLES J.BURSTONE .An Evaluation Of Beta Titanium

Alloys For Use In Orthodontic Appliances. J Dent Res 58(2):593-
600,February 1979

• C.J.Burstone, Bai Qin, and John Y. Morton.Chinese NiTi wire-d new

orthodontic alloy , AJO.1915 ;81 (6 )

• Fujio Miura, Masakuni Mogi, Yoshiaki Ohura and Hitoshi Hamanaka. The
wire super-elastic property of the Japanese NiTi alloy for use in
orthodontics .AJO1915 ;90 (1)

• Om Prakash KHARBANDA.orthodontics diagnosis and management of

malocclusion.second edition

• PHILLIPS
THANK YOU