Improvement of Properties of Stainless Steel Orthodontic Archwire Using TiO<sub>2</sub>:Ag Coating
Zofia Kielan-Grabowska,
Justyna Bącela,
Anna Zięty,
Wioletta Seremak,
Marta Gawlik-Maj,
Beata Kawala,
Beata Borak,
Jerzy Detyna,
Michał Sarul
Affiliations
Zofia Kielan-Grabowska
Department of Dentofacial Orthopedics and Orthodontics, Wroclaw Medical University, Krakowska 26, 50-425 Wrocław, Poland
Justyna Bącela
Department of Mechanics, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego 25, 50-372 Wrocław, Poland
Anna Zięty
Department of Mechanics, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego 25, 50-372 Wrocław, Poland
Wioletta Seremak
Department of Mechanics, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego 25, 50-372 Wrocław, Poland
Marta Gawlik-Maj
Academic Dental Polyclinic of Dental Center of Technology Transfer Ltd., Krakowska Str. 26, 50-425 Wroclaw, Poland
Beata Kawala
Department of Dentofacial Orthopedics and Orthodontics, Wroclaw Medical University, Krakowska 26, 50-425 Wrocław, Poland
Beata Borak
Department of Mechanics, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego 25, 50-372 Wrocław, Poland
Jerzy Detyna
Department of Mechanics, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego 25, 50-372 Wrocław, Poland
Michał Sarul
Academic Dental Polyclinic of Dental Center of Technology Transfer Ltd., Krakowska Str. 26, 50-425 Wroclaw, Poland
Orthodontic treatment carries the risk of major complications such as enamel demineralization, tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontal damage. A large number of elements of fixed orthodontic appliance results in the creation of additional plaque retention sites which increase the risk of biofilm creation. Modification of the surface of orthodontic elements may prevent the formation of bacterial biofilm. In this paper, surface modification of stainless steel orthodontic wires with TiO2: Ag was carried out by the sol-gel thin film dip-coating method. To obtain the anatase crystal structure, substrates were calcined for 2 h at 500 °C. The properties of the obtained coatings were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electrochemical tests. Corrosion studies were performed in a Ringer’s solution, which simulated physiological solution. SEM and XRD analyses of the coated surface confirmed the presence of Ag nanoparticles which may have antimicrobial potential.
