ABSTRACT

In response to patient demands for better aesthetics in orthodontics, manufacturers have developed different aesthetic wires and brackets. The aim of this study were to evaluate the mechanical properties of archwires. Thus, color properties and surface roughness of the different aesthetic archwires were analyzed.

Seven brands of aesthetic archwires were evaluated for color and roughness measurements. The color measurement of each sample was performed using a spectrophotometer. A profilometer was used to measure surface roughness. For roughness, Ra (average roughness), Rq (root mean square roughness), and Rz (maximum peak to valley height) parameters were used. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare intergroup differences. For pairwise comparisons, a Mann- Whitney U test was used.

Intergroup comparisons revealed remarkable differences between groups for all parameters. The surface roughness and Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage L*a*b* color values were statistically different from each other for all intergroup comparisons (p , .001).

Having different color options for aesthetic wires gives clinicians an advantage in terms of the ability to choose archwires that are more harmonious with individual teeth in terms of bracket color and thus provide a more aesthetic appearance.