RESUMO
AIM: To evaluate the changes in surface topography and roughness of stainless steel (SS), nickel-titanium and beta-titanium (ß-Ti) archwires after clinical use and sterilization. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Thirty wires each of SS, nitinol, and ß-Ti (3M Unitek) were tested in as received, as received and autoclaved, and clinically retrieved then autoclaved conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sterilization protocol of 134°C for 18 min was performed using an autoclave. Surface topography of specimens from each subgroup was examined using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM model Quanta 200, The Netherlands) at ×100, ×1000, and ×2500 magnifications. Surface roughness was measured using arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) values obtained from optical profilometric scanning (Taylor Hobson, Leicester, UK). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc procedures. RESULTS: Scanning electron microscope images revealed an increase in surface irregularities in SS and nitinol wires after clinical use. There was a significant increase in Ra values of SS orthodontic wires after intra-oral exposure (P = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Surface roughness of SS wires increased significantly after clinical use. Autoclave sterilization did not affect considerably on surface characteristics of any archwire.