Comparison of metal release from new and recycled bracket-archwire combinations.

Most orthodontic brackets and archwires made from stainless steel or nickel (Ni)-titanium (Ti) alloys can release metal ions into the saliva. This study measures the amounts of metal released from simulated fixed orthodontic appliances. Sixty simulated fixed orthodontic appliances were manufactured in different ways and divided into four equal groups as follows: new brackets and new archwires (group 1 controls), new brackets and recycled archwires (group 2), recycled brackets and new archwires (group 3), and recycled brackets and recycled archwires (group 4). The bracket bases coated with adhesives were heated at 350 degrees C for 30 minutes. Recycled archwires were sterilized by autoclaving. Each appliance was soaked in artificial saliva of pH 7 at 37 degrees C for 45 days. At the end of this period, a sample of the artificial saliva was collected for analysis. Concentrations of Ni, chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese, copper (Cu), and Ti ions were measured by atomic absorption and recorded in micrograms per liter. Analysis of variance and the Duncan multiple-range test indicated significant differences among the groups (P < .001). The study revealed the following: (1) group 4 released higher amounts of Cr, Fe, and Ti than any of the other three combinations; (2) Ni release was similar in groups 1 and 2 and in groups 2, 3, and 4; (3) the amounts of Cu, Cr, and Ti ions released from groups 3 and 4 were significantly greater than the amounts released from the other two combinations.