Martina Dandrea
University of Padua, Italy
Title: Nanotechnology for the improvement of tribological properties of orthodontic archwires
Biography
Biography: Martina Dandrea
Abstract
More than 60% of the force used to move teeth through an orthodontic fixed appliance is lost as friction force, with possible loss of anchorage, an enhanced risk of root resorption, an increase in treatment time. The use of molybdenum and tungsten disulfide (MoS2 and WS2) nanoparticles - known for their lubricating properties – can improve from a tribological point of view the substrates to which they are applied, providing a possible solution to minimize friction in an orthodontic system. In this study, nickel (Ni) coatings incorporating MoS2 and WS2 nanoparticles are applied by electrodeposition to 0.019 x 0.025 inch orthodontic stainless steel (SS) wires (Ormco, Glendora, CA, USA). Friction produced by in vitro sliding of coated and un-coated SS wires along self-ligating brackets (Damon Q, Ormco, Glendora, CA, USA; In-Ovation R, GAC International, Islandia, NY, USA) is then evaluated with the use of a universal apparatus for mechanical measurements (Instron 4502). This work shows that good results in terms of friction can be obtained coating SS orthodontic wires with Ni film containing MoS2 and WS2 nanoparticles, providing a possible change in orthodontic materials in the next future.