Regional load deflection rate of multiloop edgewise archwire

Kim, Byoung Ho; Yang, Won Sik

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to analyze the mechanical characteristics of multiloop edgewise archwire(MEAW). The purposes were 1) to compare load deflection rate(LDR) of MEAW with that of various other archwires in the individual interbracket span, 2)to compare the wire stiffness in the interbracket span with that in the multi-L-loop region (the span from distal border of the bracket of the lateral incisor to the mesial border of the buccal tube of second molar), and 3) to verify the experimental
results
with theoretically derived formula. The single L-loops five different horizontal lengths and multi-L-loops for the upper and lower arches were made out of .016 X .022 permachrome stainless steel wire. Straight segment of plain stainless steel, TMA and NiTi wire of the same dimension were prepared. The LDR was measured using Instron model 4466 with the load cell of 50N capacity at cross head speed of 1.0mm/min, and maximum deflection of 1.0mm. Five specimens were tested under each experimental condition. The wire stiffness number for each interbracket region and multi-L-loop region was calculated from the LDR and the interbracket spans. By dividing the theoretical model of multi-L-loop into 35 linear segments, the energy stored in each segment was obtained. Then the LDR and wire stiffness of single L-loop and multi-L-loop were calculated and compared. The findings were as follows : 1) The average LDR of MEAW in the individual interbracket region was 1/1.53 of that of the NiTi, 1/247 of TMA and 1/5.16 of the plain stainless steel wire. 2) The wire stiffness of MEAW in the multi-L-loop region was 1.53 times larger than that in the interbracket region, and the LDR was almost twice as large as that of NiTi in that region. 3) According to the theoretically derived equation, the wire stiffness of the single L-loop was lower than that of multi-L-loop. The results of this study suggest that MEAW has the unique mechanical property which could allow individual tooth movement and transmit elastic force effectively through the entire arch wire.