Laboratory evaluation of adhesively crimped surgical ball hooks

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the addition of sandblasting and/or dental adhesive on the stability of the crimpable hook when positioned and crimped onto surgical arch wires. Ninety crimpable ball hooks were divided into six test groups: crimp only; apply Panavia 21 and crimp; apply C & B Metabond and crimp; sandblast and crimp; sandblast, apply Panavia 21, and crimp; and sandblast, apply C & B Metabond, and crimp. Each hook was treated according to the criteria of the relevant test group and then crimped to the arch wire. The force required to dislodge each hook from the arch wire was measured. The results demonstrated that sandblasting caused a significant increase in the force required to dislodge the crimped hook. The addition of either Panavia 21 or C & B Metabond adhesives also resulted in a significant increase in the required dislodging force. The force required to dislodge the hook was increased by a factor of 10 where sandblasting and Panavia 21 were applied. The same increase was observed where C & B Metabond was applied, without sandblasting. However, it was concluded that the use of Panavia 21, together with an intraoral sandblasting machine, would be more appropriate in the clinical setting, primarily due to the ease of use associated with Panavia 21.