Hinge-based Ankle Foot Orthosis (HAFO) is one of the most common non-surgical solutions for the foot drop. In conventional HAFOs, the ankle joint is almost locked, and plantar flexion is restricted due to the high stiffness of the hinge mechanism. This often leads to a rigid walking gate cycle, poor muscle activity, and muscle atrophy. Since the ankle torque-angle loop has a non-linear profile,...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of polymer- and rhodium-coated wires compared to uncoated wires by measuring the frictional forces using self-ligation brackets. METHODS 0.016-inch nickel titanium (NiTi) wires and 0.017 × 0.025-inch stainless steel (SS) wires were used, and the angulations between the brackets and wires were set to 0°, 5°, and 10°. Upp...

Copper NiTi wires were introduced by Sachdeva R and Miyasaki S in 1994. This latest innovation in the evolutionary scale gives us the opportunity of choosing the force level by choosing the temperature at which the wires will deliver its optimum force level. With so many advantages and their ability to return to their original form coupled with the high cost of copper NiTi many clinicians start...

NiTi alloy wires are widely used in many applications for examples, orthodontic arch wires, mini screw implant, sensors, etc. Usually, wire drawing process is chosen to produce arch wires because of its high productivity as well as superior surface quality of the drawn wire surface. In the case of NITI arch wire, the cold work occurred during wire drawing operation also plays important role to ...

Velcro hook-and-loop fasteners invented more than 70 years ago are examples of the mechanism inspired by tiny hooks found on surface burs a plant commonly known as burdock. Several ago, novel Velcro-like fastener made two arrays hook-shaped thin NiTi wires was developed. Unique features such fasteners, high thermally-tunable strength, fair force–stroke reproducibility, forceless contact or sile...

OBJECTIVE To investigate and compare the effects of superelastic nickel-titanium and multistranded stainless steel archwires on pain during the initial phase of orthodontic treatment. DESIGN A double-blind two-arm parallel design stratified randomized clinical trial. SETTING A single centre in India between December 2010 and June 2012. A total of 96 participants (48 male and 48 females; 14....

  Objective: Orthodontic wires should have high resistance against corrosion in the oral environment. Since the effect of pH on corrosion has been well recognized, this study sought to assess and compare the electrochemical corrosion of orthodontic brackets and wires of different brands in acidic artificial saliva.   Methods: This in vitro experimental study was conducted on 24 mandibular centr...

BACKGROUND Orthodontic wires are the corner stones of the science and art of orthodontics and they remain in the patient's mouth for a prolonged period of 18-24 months. It is but natural to expect that they will undergo some biodegradation when in the oral environment during that period. This study aims to compare the biodegradation characteristics of four different orthodontic wires, stainless...

NiTi foams are unique among biocompatible porous metals because of their high recovery strain (due to the shape-memory or superelastic effects) and their low stiffness facilitating integration with bone structures. To optimize NiTi foams for bone implant applications, two key areas are under active study: synthesis of foams with optimal architectures, microstructure and mechanical properties; a...

Objectives The friction between the brackets and orthodontic wire during sliding mechanics inflicts difficulties such as decreasing the applied force and tooth movement and also the loss of anchorage. Therefore, many studies have focused on the factors that affect the friction. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of 0.05% sodium fluoride mouthwash on the friction between orthodon...