Comparing HANT and Conventional NiTi Archwires in Alignment

Objective: To compare the clinical efficiency of two sequences of orthodontic wires to correct crowding of the maxillary anterior teeth, one using conventional nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwires and the other utilizing nickel-titanium (NiTi) combined heat-activated nickel-titanium (HANT) archwires in terms of alignment effectiveness, tooth root length, alveolar bone changes, and pain intensity. Methods: Forty patients requiring fixed orthodontic treatment with Little's irregularity index of 7 to 9 mm, who needed first premolar extractions, were recruited. A lottery was conducted for the patients, assigning odd numbers to use HANT archwires (0.014 NiTi, 0.019x0.025 HANT, and 0.019x0.025 SS). (Group 1), and even numbers to use conventional NiTi archwire sequences (0.014 NiTi, 0.016 NiTi, 0.016x0.022 NiTi, 0.019x0.025 NiTi, and 0.019x0.025 SS) (Group 2). Digital scans were taken of the maxilla arch before archwire placement (T0) and at each month (30 days) follow-up leading up to the 6th month (T6). The rate of tooth alignment was measured on digital dental casts by determining Little's irregularity index. The pain experienced by the patient was evaluated 24 hours, 3 days, and 1 week following the placement of the archwire, using a visual analog scale (VAS). Cone beam computed tomographic (CBCT) radiographs of the maxillary anterior teeth were taken before and after alignment to evaluate changes in tooth root length and alveolar bone. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 18.0), with significance at p ≤ 0.05.

Inclusion criteria

• patients with Class I malocclusion on both sides
• aged between 16 and 25 years with permanent dentition
• bilateral extraction of the maxillary first premolar
• maxillary Little's irregularity index between 7-9 mm
• patients with no periodontal disease.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who had previous orthodontic treatment,
• spacing in the maxillary anterior region
• suffer from bleeding disorders, diabetes, bone diseases, periodontal disease, and cancer, as well as those using drugs (such as aspirin, heparin, warfarin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and glucocorticoids)
• Patients with trauma and facial deformities, smokers, or pregnant were excluded from the study.