Testing of Multi-force Orthodontic Archwires using an Orthodontic Simulator

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Smarter Alloys Inc. is a Canadian company dedicated to innovations and developments in the materials science field of shape memory alloys (SMAs). Specifically, they focus on the localized programming of SMA properties, namely the shape memory effect (SME) and pseudoelastic (PE) response. Smarter Alloys have various applications for their methods, one of which is in archwires used for orthodontic treatment. Archwires are commonly composed of SMAs such as Nickel Titanium, NiTi, or Copper NiTi, CuNiTi, as they can provide lower magnitude loads, due to their SME and PE properties, over a larger range of deformations than conventional materials. Smarter Alloys and the Orthodontic Biomechanics Testing and Development Group (OBTDG) at the University of Alberta (UA) have proposed a pilot study that will aid Smarter Alloys in understanding the success of their programming methods on localizing SMA properties. Testing will be done using the OBTDG's Orthodontic simulator (OSIM), a unique system, which was developed to simulate the human archform. We will use OSIM to simulate clinically relevant tooth misalignments that correlate to programmed archwires by Smarter Alloys to investigate their performance in an in vitro environment. Results from this pilot study will allow Smarter Alloys to compare the performance of their archwires against others currently available on the market, and in doing so guide their future marketing and research strategies.