Comparison of cleaning methods on debris, surface roughness and static friction of retrieved stainless steel archwires

摘要

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the amount of debris, surface roughness and static friction in retrieved?stainless steel (SS) archwires after four weeks of intraoral exposure and afterwards compare the?effects of different cleaning methods. METHODS: The sample gathered seventeen as-received and eighty-five retrieved SS archwire?segments, which were allocated in cleaning method groups (N=17): retrieved (RT); sodiumbicarbonate?jet (SB-jet); ultrasonic cleaner (U-sonic); alcohol soaked gauze (A-gauze); and steel?wool sponge (S-wool). Debris (SEM images), surface roughness (rugosimeter) and static friction (universal testing machine) were compared between as-received and retrieved SS wires and between?cleaning method groups. RESULTS: Debris and surface roughness were statistically higher in RT wires than in as-received?(p0.001), whereas static friction showed no statistical difference (p0.05). Debris were significantly?lower in groups A-gauze and S-wool than in groups RT, SB-jet and U-sonic (p0.001). Surface?roughness was statistically lower in group S-wool compared to other groups (p0.001). Static friction?showed no statistical difference between cleaning methods (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Retrieved SS archwires showed higher debris and surface roughness than asreceived,?after four-weeks intraorally. A-gauze and S-wool were effective cleaning methods to control?debris, but only S-wool has reduced surface roughness.