RESUMO
AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the load and unload deflection and permanent deformation of round 0.016'' and rectangular 0.016'' × 0.022'' regular and coated Ni-Ti wires. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ni-Ti archwires produced by two manufacturers were evaluated. Both regular and coated round and rectangular Ni-Ti wire segments (n = 15) from each group were submitted to a three-point bending test. Both types of wires were evaluated for permanent deformation at the end of a recovery cycle. RESULTS: The coated round 0.016'' Ni-Ti wires produced a significantly lower force in loading (p < 0.01) and unloading (p < 0.01) than regular wires of the same manufacturer and size. There was no significant difference in permanent deformation between coated and regular round Ni-Ti wires from the same company. For rectangular 0.016 × 0.022'' Ni-Ti wires, there was a significant difference in the loading evaluation, but the unloading test presented no significant differences. The permanent deformation of the rectangular wires revealed no significant difference between them. CONCLUSION: The addition of an esthetic coating to these new Ni-Ti wires produced changes in their mechanical properties, manifested as a reduction in the applied force, which should be considered in clinical management.
