Objective: To compare the properties of three brands of stainless steel orthodontic wires: “Bow-Flex Wire”, “TP Original Wire Premier Plus” and “Australian Wire Special Plus”.
Method: The surface appearance, stiffness, elastic modulus and relaxation of coiled and straight round wires in four diameters (0.016 inch, 0.018 inch, 0.020 inch and 0.022 inch) were compared.
Results: “Australian Wire Special Plus” wire had a rougher surface than “Bow-Flex” and “TP Original Wire Premier Plus” wires. For all diameters “Australian Wire Special Plus” coiled wire was stiffer, had a higher elastic modulus, and lower relaxation than the corresponding “Bow-Flex” and “TP Original Wire Premier Plus” wires. All coiled samples were stiffer and had a higher elastic modulus than corresponding straight wires from the same manufacturer.
Conclusion: “Australian Wire Special Plus” 0.016 inch coiled wire is recommended for the initial treatment phase in the Begg and the Tip-Edge techniques. Either coiled or straight 0.018 inch, 0.020 inch or 0.022 inch wires from both manufacturers are suitable for phases II and III in both techniques.
