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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
Force System with Vertical V-Bends: A 3D In Vitro Assessment of Elastic and Rigid Rectangular Archwires
Published on: July 24, 2018
A prospective cohort study assessing the appearance of retrieved aesthetic orthodontic archwires
Objectives:
To investigate the appearance of three esthetic nickel titanium (NiTi) wires after 6 weeks of intra-oral cycling and to determine the association between objective and subjective measures of esthetics.
Setting And Sample Population:
A prospective cohort study was undertaken involving participants undergoing upper fixed orthodontic appliance treatment with ceramic brackets.
Materials And Methods:
Fifty participants were assigned to one of three groups of NiTi esthetic wires (American Orthodontics Ever White™, Forestadent Biocosmetic™ and GAC High Aesthetic™), with wires retrieved after 6 weeks in situ. Participants completed a bespoke questionnaire exploring perceptions of wire esthetics. Objective measurement of coating loss was undertaken using a custom arch wire jig.
Results:
American Orthodontics Ever White™ had the greatest mean coating loss (50.7%) followed by Forestadent Biocosmetic™ (6%), with GAC High Aesthetic TM undergoing minimal loss (0.07%) (P < .001). The majority of coating loss with the American Orthodontics Ever White™ wires arose in the anterior region while Forestadent Biocosmetic™ wires and GAC High Aesthetic™ wires exhibited coating loss posteriorly (P < .001). These findings were reflected in the subjective assessment with a negative correlation found between coating loss and final Visual Analogue Scale scores (P < .001).
Conclusions:
Considerable esthetic variation between arch wires following 6 weeks of intraoral cycling was identified in this prospective cohort study. Intraoral cycling has a negative impact on participant perception of arch wire esthetics, and objective and subjective assessment of wire esthetics appears to be consistent.
