A Comparative Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Orthodontic Wire Joints according to Soldering Methods

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the tensile strength and mechanical properties of orthodontic wire joints made by gas soldering and laser welding, with and without filling material, to identify the effectiveness and potential clinical application of laser welded orthodontic wires. Methods: Three joint configurations of orthodontic wire were used: diameter 0.9 to 0.9 mm wire, diameter 0.9 to 0.5 wire and diameter 0.9 mm wire to band. The joints were made using three different methods: gas soldering, laser welding with and without filling material. For each kind of joint configuration or connecting method 7 specimens were carefully produced. The tensile strengths were measured with a universal testing machine (Zwick/Roell, Instron, USA). The hardness measurements were carried out with a hardness tester(Future-Tech Co. Tokyo, Japan). Data were analyzed by AVOVA(p= .05) and Turkey HD test(p= .05). Results: In all cases, gas soldering joints were ruptured on a low level on tensile bonding strength. Significant differences between laser welding and gas soldering(p< .05) were found in each joint configuration. The highest tensile strength means were observed for laser welding, with filling material, of 0.9 to 0.9 mm wire joint. Conclusion: In conclusion, the elastic modulus and tensile strength means of laser soldering with filling material were the highest, and the tensile strength means of laser soldering were higher than those of gas soldering.