Effect of chlorhexidine-containing prophylactic agent on the surface characterization and frictional resistance between orthodontic brackets and archwires: an in vitro study

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to assess the surface characterization and frictional resistance between stainless steel brackets and two types of orthodontic wires made of stainless steel and nickel-titanium alloys after immersion in a chlorhexidine-containing prophylactic agent.MethodsStainless steel orthodontic brackets with either stainless steel (SS) or heat-activated nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) wires were immersed in a 0.2% chlorhexidine and an artificial saliva environment for 1.5 h. The frictional force was measured on a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 10 mm/min over a 5-mm of archwire. The surface morphology of bracket slots and surface roughness of archwires after immersion in chlorhexidine were also characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an atomic force microscope (AFM), respectively.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the frictional resistance values between SS and Ni-Ti wires immersed in either chlorhexidine or artificial saliva. The frictional resistance values for the SS and Ni-Ti wires immersed in 0.2% chlorhexidine solution were not significantly different from that inartificial saliva. No significant difference in the average surface roughness for both wires before (as-received) and after immersion in either chlorhexidine or artificial saliva was observed.ConclusionsOne-and-half-hour immersion in 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse did not have significant influence on the archwires surface roughness or the frictional resistance between stainless steel orthodontic brackets and archwires made of SS and Ni-Ti. Based on these results, chlorhexidine-containing mouthrinses may be prescribed as non-destructive prophylactic agents on materials evaluated in the present study for orthodontic patients.

Correlation between frictional force and surface roughness of orthodontic archwires

“…In addition, this method may damage the surface of specimens during scanning (Choi et al, ). Alternative methods for indirectly estimating surface roughness are scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and index scoring methods (Marques et al, ; Hosseinzadeh et al, ; Chng et al, ); however these techniques do not elucidate real‐time changes and provide no quantitative information about the sample surfaces. On the other hand, AFM provides information regarding surface roughness and the overall surface of target materials.…”

Effect of oral antiseptics on the corrosion stability of nickel‐titanium orthodontic alloys

“…Curasept is a moderate medium because it is less acid than Listerine, and slightly more acidic than Gengigel and has a higher fluoride content. It has been reported previously that the effect of chlorhexidine on surface roughness is not significant . Gengigel is chemically the mildest because hyaluronic acid is a mild organic acid, has a near to neutral pH, low fluoride content, and the lowest concentration of hydrofluoric acid.…”

Evaluation and Comparison of Two Different Mouthwashes on Frictional Resistance Between Orthodontic Bracket and Archwire: An in Vitro Study

“…This result was contrary to a previous study where no statistically significant difference was seen in the frictional resistance between these 2 groups. 24 This could possibly be due to the difference in the sample size taken or the variation in the methodology.…”

“…This temperature was taken to simulate the oral temperature. 23,24 The immersion time of 1.5 hours was chosen to simulate 3-month accumulation of 1 minute daily CHX rinse applications. A 30-second expectoration of CHX twice daily would mean 1 minute of contact of mouthwash with orthodontic appliance (3 × 30 × 1 = 90 min).…”