ABSTRACT
Due to its ionic, thermal, microbiological and enzymatic properties, the oral environment is propitious to the biodegradation of metallic wires. The roughness and the arches surface is strongly related with its corrosion. F. Widu et al. demonstrates that the surface roughness can be an indicator of the corrosive tendency of the orthodontic wires. Corrosion of orthodontic wires influences its physical properties and consequent clinical performance. The difference in the roughness value of the T-loops is lower for an immersion period of 5 months than the values for immersion periods of 1 and 3 months. In accordance with the estimated model, the difference between the initial and final values of roughness after 5 months of immersion in saliva is 0.012 µm higher than the difference between the initial and final values of roughness after 1 and 3 months of immersion in saliva. Measurements were preformed applying a M1 filter and in accordance with ISO 11562.
