Stainless vs. NiTi

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gunter8888
Posts: 315
Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2004 12:34 pm
Location: Utah, USA

Stainless vs. NiTi

#1 Post by gunter8888 »

At my adjustment yesterday my ortho switched from the rectangular, NiTi wire he had been using on my tops and installed a round, stainless steel wire. I realized after I left that I don't know what each metal type is used for. Anyone know?

I still have a rectangular NiTi on bottom. I know that NiTi wires are heat activated, but I don't know what NiTi is used for vs. what stainless is used for.

Thanks!
Expander in 8/9/06
Lowers on 11/30/06
Uppers on / Expander gone on 1/31/2007
Class III elastics added 3/14/2007
Expander #2 - 6/27/2007
20-24 months w/ fixed metal braces
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skyclad
Posts: 279
Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:09 pm
Location: Phoenix, AZ

I am also very confused

#2 Post by skyclad »

I have no idea which wires I have.
They are very flexible but not heat activated.
When you win, nothing hurts....Joe Namath
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Lisa65
Posts: 3469
Joined: Thu Jun 01, 2006 12:12 pm

#3 Post by Lisa65 »

Steel wires are more rigid and therefore are generally used later in the treatment when the teeth are already aligned. The brackets have to be pretty much in a straight line otherwise the wire can't be got through the bracket slots.
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gunter8888
Posts: 315
Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2004 12:34 pm
Location: Utah, USA

#4 Post by gunter8888 »

Do I understand correctly that the stainless steel wires are used later in treatment for fine tuning; whereas the NiTi wires are for the big moves early on?

Thanks for the info!
Expander in 8/9/06
Lowers on 11/30/06
Uppers on / Expander gone on 1/31/2007
Class III elastics added 3/14/2007
Expander #2 - 6/27/2007
20-24 months w/ fixed metal braces
Top
Lisa65
Posts: 3469
Joined: Thu Jun 01, 2006 12:12 pm

#5 Post by Lisa65 »

yup elastics generally need you to be in steel wires so that the tooth attached to the elastic doesn't get pulled out of line, as it would if the wire was flexible.
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