Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026

Force System with Vertical V-Bends: A 3D In Vitro Assessment of Elastic and Rigid Rectangular Archwires
Published on: July 24, 2018
Influence of bracket-slot design on the forces released by superelastic nickel-titanium alignment wires in different
Riccardo Nucera1, Elda Gatto, Chiara Borsellino
1a Assistant Professor, Department of Scienze Sperimentali Medico Chirurgiche ed Odontostomatologiche, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Objective:
To evaluate how different bracket-slot design characteristics affect the forces released by superelastic nickel-titanium (NiTi) alignment wires at different amounts of wire deflection.
Materials And Methods:
A three-bracket bending and a classic-three point bending testing apparatus were used to investigate the load-deflection properties of one superelastic 0.014-inch NiTi alignment wire in different experimental conditions. The selected NiTi archwire was tested in association with three bracket systems: (1) conventional twin brackets with a 0.018-inch slot, (2) a self-ligating bracket with a 0.018-inch slot, and (3) a self-ligating bracket with a 0.022-inch slot. Wire specimens were deflected at 2 mm and 4 mm.
Results:
Use of a 0.018-inch slot bracket system, in comparison with use of a 0.022-inch system, increases the force exerted by the superelastic NiTi wires at a 2-mm deflection. Use of a self-ligating bracket system increases the force released by NiTi wires in comparison with the conventional ligated bracket system. NiTi wires deflected to a different maximum deflection (2 mm and 4 mm) release different forces at the same unloading data point (1.5 mm).
Conclusion:
Bracket design, type of experimental test, and amount of wire deflection significantly affected the amount of forces released by superelastic NiTi wires (P<.05). This phenomenon offers clinicians the possibility to manipulate the wire's load during alignment.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Temperature Dependent Deformation
Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity
Deformation of Member under Multiple Loadings
In the case of a member with a variable cross-section, the strain is not constant but depends on the position. The deformation of an...
Stress Concentrations in Circular Shafts
Castigliano's Theorem
Plastic Deformations of Members with a Single Plane of Symmetry

