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Low temperature polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating improves the appearance of orthodontic wires without changing
Takashi Kameda1, Harumi Sato2, Shunya Oka3
1Department of Orthodontics, Nippon Dental University School of Life Dentistry at Niigata.
Abstract:
A strong esthetic demand exists for white-colored rather than metallic-colored dental appliances. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is chemically stable with extremely low friction, is a suitable white-colored coating for dental appliances. In the conventional PTFE coating process, base materials are heated to approximately 400°C, which could change their mechanical properties. Examination of the PTFE-coating of stainless steel, nickel titanium (Ni-Ti), and β-titanium (Ti-Mo and Ti-Nb) revealed that the conventional 380°C coating, but not the newly developed low temperature coating at 200°C, reduced elasticity and bendability, and changed the crystal structure, especially in Ni-Ti and Ti-Nb wires. PTFE-coating at 200°C resulted in less discoloration, microbial adhesion, and friction against brackets, and higher tolerance of wear than did the conventional 380°C coating. These results suggest that low temperature PTFE coating is an excellent method for improving the metallic appearance of orthodontic wires without changing their mechanical properties.
