Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Nanocoating Superelastic Orthodontic Archwires on the Mechanical Properties and Frictional Resistance An in vitro Study

Abstract

Orthodontic treatment fundamentally depends on the biomechanical performance of archwires to apply precise forces for effective and comfortable tooth movement. Nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwires, especially superelastic and low-hysteresis variants, are widely used due to their unique properties such as shape memory, low stiffness, and consistent force delivery. However, a major clinical limitation during sliding mechanics is frictional resistance, particularly when using ceramic brackets. Excessive friction prolongs treatment time, increases anchorage demands, and may lead to root resorption. Surface modifications such as nanocoating with metal oxide nanoparticles have emerged as a promising solution to reduce friction without compromising wire flexibility. newlineAlthough numerous studies have investigated the mechanical performance of stainless steel and standard NiTi wires, limited research has been conducted on the impact of nanocoatings on low-hysteresis NiTi archwires especially when paired with both aesthetic ceramic and conventional metal brackets. Furthermore, there is a gap in the literature regarding the comparative performance of different metal oxide nanoparticles, such as Aland#8322;Oand#8323;, TiOand#8322;, and ZrOand#8322;, in reducing friction and maintaining deflective force in various wire types newline