Comparison of retraction efficacy of titanium-molybdenum and titanium-niobium alloy wires – A prospective split-mouth study

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to compare the efficacy of Titanium-Molybdenum (Ti-Mo) and Titanium-Niobium (Ti-Nb) alloy wires as retraction springs, by comparing: The amount and rate of canine retraction, the degree of canine rotation, the change in axial inclination of canines, and the associated anchorage loss. Material and Methods: All 17 participants (age: 18–25 years) to be treated with the first premolar extraction approach by canine retraction were assigned Ti-Mo and Ti-Nb alloy T-loop springs to either of the upper quadrants randomly. Digital intraoral 3-D scans and panoramic radiographs orthopantomagram (OPG) were taken before (T0) and after (T1) the study period (4 months). 3-D superimposition was performed and using the digital models and OPG, changes in canine position, angulation, and anchorage loss were compared between the two groups. Results: There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups for all the parameters pertaining to maxillary canine retraction, that is, canine retraction (P = 0.72), change in axial inclination of canines (P = 0.71), rotation of canines (P = 0.74), and anchorage loss (P = 0.13) as well as extraction space closure (P = 0.74). Conclusion: Ti-Nb and Ti-Mo alloy wires show a similar potency for use in retraction mechanics for orthodontic space closure.