Abstract

Abstract: (1) Background: This project was carried out to identify and recommend the safest mouthwash when NiTi wires are to be left in the oral environment for longer periods during orthodontic treatment (2) Methods: Corrosion of NiTi archwires was investigated in different mouthwashes and artificial saliva. Artificial saliva was taken as a standard medium. A potentiodynamic test was performed using Gamry’s potentiostat. The corrosion rate was calculated utilizing the Tafel equation through a software ‘Echem analyst’. One-way ANOVA was conducted to compare the mean corrosion rates of wires immersed in different media. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) was used to analyze the surface characteristics of NiTi wires after the corrosion testing; (3) Results: NiTi wires tested in mouthwash containing HCl in 0.15% w/v of Benzydamine Hydrochloride(EnzicloreTM) produced greatest corrosion (16.2300+4.405 MPY). While Dexapanthenol + permethol containing mouthwash (Hi-ParaentTM) showed minimum corrosion of the NiTi wires. The rate of corrosion was found to be insignificant in artificial saliva (pH = 1.00); (4) Conclusions: Research concludes that the dentists should prefer prescribing Hi-ParadentTM and avoid long term use of EnziclorTM or any other mouthwash containing HCL content while NiTi wire is placed for orthodontic treatment.

Key words: Corrosion; Orthodontic wires, Nickel-titanium wires, Potentiodynamic analysis, Mouthwashes