Stainless steel is one of the widely used orthodontic materials for treatment. Wires, brackets, bands, tubes, ligatures are few products made by using this grade.
Since the alloy has gained become well known among orthodontists, its further develop has led to its extensive use in modern orthodontic techniques. The three key groups are austenitic, martensitic and ferritic. Alloys used for orthodontics are austenitic type. The extensive use of stainless steel in the medical and dental areas depends on various factors however one of the key features is its corrosion resistance. This feature is introduced by the addition of chromium to the iron-carbon grade. Steel produces an adherent layer to prevent further corrosion from the environment and hence prevents corrosion. Steel containing minimum 11% chromium offers essential corrosion resistance. Passivation may be influenced by various factors like composition, heat processing, surface condition, stress and the environment in which the alloy is used. In various practices, professionals recommend to buy orthodontics products made of stainless steel such as SS wire for different purposes. These SS wires are made from different steel grades such as :
Ferritic stainless steel: It is referred as 400 series. This steel grade contains 12% to 29% chromium and nominal magnitudes of nickel. It is an economical grade due to low nickel concentration. It is magnetic, ductile and corrosion resistant. But due to poor weldability, it is not much used for dentistry.
Austenitic stainless steel: These grades are widely used for the production of orthodontic brackets and wires. They are the extremely popular members of the stainless steel family. The austenitic structure is produced by heating the alloy up to 912oC. Nickel stabilizes the austenitic phase at room temperature. Nickel should be present at least by 8% to stabilize this steel and make this alloy tough and ductile.
Many leading orthodontics products manufacturers in India prefer using this steel grade for their products. It has chromium, molybdenum, carbon etc in addition to nickel. Molybdenum resists pitting corrosion and carbon concentration is limited to increase its corrosion resistance and minimize sensitization. SS304L grade has nominal traces of manganese and silicon.
Austenitic stainless steel grades offer outstanding corrosion resistance and good formability, welding properties, ductility and resistance to wear. Although, these grades cannot be heat processing for hardening due to occurrence of solid-solid transitions below the temperature at which atomic diffusions may occur, they are suitable for applications that do not need heat
processing like wires. Austenitic alloys are sensitive to intergranular corrosion and stress corrosion cracking.
Orthodontic brackets: Many experts prefer using different steel grades for the production of different brackets. Austenitic stainless steel grades like SS 304L and 316L are mainly chosen for orthodontic braces. Although brackets are also produced by using alternative stainless steel grades such as duplex stainless steel 2205.
There are also mini implants and screws used as anchorage equipments in the orthodontic field made of titanium based alloys as they offer excellent properties. You should consult with your dentist about the best suited product material.