Original Research

Year : 2025 | Volume : 16 | Issue : 4 | Page : 39-51

Comparison of Efficacy and Rate of Alignment using Three Different Arch wires: A Randomized Clinical Trial

 B Edward Giftson Noah1, S.D. Milling Tania2, S. Veerasankar3, Bevin Shaga3, Jebilla Pringle4, Razick Nishadh M4, Shahina Juneith4

 1Postgraduate Resident, 2Professor, 3Associate Professor, 4Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Rajas Dental College, Rajas Dental College And Hospital, Thirurajapuram, Kavalkinaru Jn, Tirunelveli - 627 105

Address for Correspondence:

Dr. S.D. Milling Tania,

Professor and HOD,
Rajas Dental College And Hospital

Thirurajapuram, Kavalkinaru Jn, Tirunelveli - 627 105
Email ID - drtania_d@yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT

Aim: To compare the rate and efficiency of Niobium-Titanium-Tantalum Zirconium archwire (Gummetal), Copper Nickel Titanium archwire (CuNiTi) and conventional nickel titanium archwire (NiTi) on initial alignment.

Materials And Methods: A single-center randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in 33 fully erupted dentition patients and Little’s Irregularity Index (LII) >2 mm. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups (n=11 each) treated with 0.014-inch NiTi, CuNiTi, or Gummetal archwires. Impressions were taken at baseline (T0) and at 3-week intervals for 4 times (T1–T4). LII, Intercanine width (ICW) and intermolar width (IMW) were measured and analyzed using SPSS v20.0 with Repeated Measures ANOVA, Bonferroni post-hoc, and Chi-square tests with p value <0.05 as statistical significance.

Results: All groups showed statistically significant reduction in LII from T0 to T4 (p<0.001). Group 1 showed a decrease from 3.76±0.75 to 1.02±0.53, Group 2 from 3.74±0.64 to 0.90±0.25, and Group 3 from 3.04±0.59 to 1.33±0.66. ICW increased significantly in all groups: Group 1 from 25.93±2.86 to 26.58±2.78 (p<0.001), Group 2 from 25.59±2.68 to 26.64±2.76 (p < 0.001), and Group 3 from 25.79±2.86 to 26.52±2.83 (p=0.008). IMW changes were significant in Group 2 (40.76±2.66 to 41.11±2.63, p<0.001) and Group 3 (40.95±2.61 to 41.11±2.63, p<0.001), but not in Group 1 (41.01±2.64 to 41.08±2.62, p=0.136). Intergroup comparison revealed no statistically significant difference in LII, ICW, or IMW (p≥0.051).

Conclusions: CuNiTi and NiTi archwires were more effective in initial alignment and mild arch expansion than Gummetal, making them preferable for early orthodontic correction.

Keywords: Archwires, Copper NiTi, Gummetal, Intercanine arch width

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflict of interests to declare.

FUNDING

Nil.
How to cite this article: B Edward Giftson Noah, S.D. Milling Tania, S. Veerasankar, Bevin Shaga, Jebilla Pringle, Razick Nishadh M, Shahina Juneith.Comparison of Efficacy and Rate of Alignment using Three Different Arch wires: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Orthod Rehabil 2025; 16 (4): 39-51.

Original Article

Year : 2025 | Volume : 16 | Issue : 2 | Page : 55-68

Knowledge, Outlook, and Practices among Dental Professionals about Aligner Disposal and Recycling – A Cross-Sectional Study

Mohamed Shafi Nalla Mohamed1, S.D. Milling Tania2, I. Bevin Shaga3, S. Veerasankar3, A. Jebilla Pringle4, Mary Sheloni Missier4, C.Priyadharshini4

1-Postgraduate Resident, 2-Professor, 3-Reader, 4-Senior Lecturer, Department of Orthodontics, Rajas Dental College and Hospital, Kavalkinaru, Tamil Nadu-627105.

Address for Correspondence:

Dr. Mohamed Shafi Nalla Mohamed

Postgraduate Student, Department of Orthodontics

Rajas Dental College and Hospital,

Kavalkinaru, Tirunelveli-627105

Tamil Nadu, India

Email address: nmohamedshafi97@gmail.com

ABSTRACT  

BACKGROUND: The growing use of clear aligners in orthodontics raises environmental concerns due to inadequate disposal and recycling knowledge among dental professionals. This study evaluates their awareness, attitudes, and practices regarding clear aligner disposal and recycling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an electronic survey created with Google Forms, which was distributed to orthodontists, undergraduate practitioners, and non-orthodontic practitioners who had their postgraduate degree. The questionnaire consisted of 25 closed-ended questions divided into three sections: Knowledge (8 questions), Outlook (10 questions), and Practice (7 questions). The responses obtained were tabulated and then statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 21.0. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: A total of 384 participants completed the survey. Most of the participants had a lack of proper awareness regarding the disposal practices and recycling of the aligners. Orthodontists demonstrated significantly higher knowledge (6.10 ± 1.80) and outlook (8.22 ± 3.71) scores than practitioners of other specialities (2.79 ± 1.91, 6.09 ± 3.59 for knowledge and outlook, respectively) (P ≤ 0.001). Knowledge regarding aligner disposal and recycling was highly statistically significant between general practitioners with an undergraduate degree, postgraduate degree holders other than orthodontics, and orthodontists (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: There is a noticeable gap in the knowledge and practices of dental professionals regarding the proper disposal and recycling of clear aligners. This study demonstrates that heightened awareness among clinicians and patients is key to reducing aligner use's environmental impact.

KEYWORDS: Dental Practice Patterns, Dentists, Environmental Biodegradation, Knowledge, Orthodontics, Sustainable Development.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP

Nil.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There are no conflicts of interest.
How to cite this article: Mohamed Shafi Nalla Mohamed, S.D. Milling Tania, I. Bevin Shaga, S. Veerasankar, A. Jebilla Pringle, Mary Sheloni Missier, C.Priyadharshini. Knowledge, Outlook, and Practices among Dental Professionals about Aligner Disposal and Recycling – A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Orthod Rehabil 2025; 16 (2): 55-68.