Date of Award

Spring 2006

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Dentistry

First Advisor

Berzins, David W.

Second Advisor

Bradley, Thomas G.

Third Advisor

Liu, Dawei

Abstract

Galvanic corrosion is one of several types of reactions that may occur in the oral environment during orthodontic treatment, resulting in ion release, increased friction, and other undesirable effects. The purpose of this study was to compare galvanic currents generated by different combinations of commonly used brackets and archwires. As-received stainless steel, nickel-titanium, and beta-titanium wires (Ormco, Glendora, CA, USA) were coupled to stainless steel and titanium brackets in an artificial saliva medium. The stainless steel brackets were Orthos (Ormco) and Equilibrium 2 (Dentaurum, Ispringen, Germany). The titanium brackets tested in this study were Equilibrium ti (Dentaururn). The galvanic current and amount of charge transferred for each pair was monitored with a zero resistance ammeter for 10 hours. ANOVA statistical analysis showed a significant difference in charge and galvanic current when factored for type of bracket (P<.001), but no significant difference between them when factored by type of wire (P=.143). Specifically, a brazed stain less steel bracket (Orthos) was significantly different than metal injection molded stainless steel and titanium brackets (P<.001), which were not different from each other (P=.969). These results indicate that the method of bracket manufacturing may be of equal or more relevance to galvanic corrosion susceptibility than bracket composition.

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