Recommended Materials for Dental Wiring
For dental wiring procedures, stainless steel wires are recommended as the primary material due to their formability, biocompatibility, environmental stability, stiffness, and resilience. 1
Material Options for Dental Wiring
- Stainless steel wires remain the most popular choice for dental wiring due to their excellent formability, biocompatibility, environmental stability, stiffness, resilience, and low cost 1
- Titanium wires exhibit the least corrosive potential and are recommended for patients with nickel allergies 2
- Epoxy-coated nickel-titanium wires also demonstrate low corrosive potential and are suitable alternatives for patients with nickel allergies 2
- Beta-titanium wires provide a combination of adequate springback, average stiffness, and good formability 1
Handling and Safety Considerations
- Sharp items including wires contaminated with patient blood and saliva should be considered potentially infective and handled with care to prevent injuries 3
- When handling dental wires, appropriate gloves (e.g., puncture- and chemical-resistant utility gloves) should be worn when there is potential contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials 3
- Used wires should be placed in appropriate puncture-resistant containers located as close as practical to the area in which they were used 3
- Bending or breaking of wires before disposal requires unnecessary manipulation and is not recommended 3
Infection Control for Dental Wiring Materials
- All dental wires should be properly sterilized before use as they are classified as critical instruments that penetrate soft tissue or bone 3
- Heat-sterilization is required for all wires before each use 3
- Wires should never be disinfected as an alternative to sterilization 3
- Single-use disposable wires should be used only once and disposed of correctly 3
Material Selection Considerations
- For patients with confirmed or suspected nickel allergies, titanium or epoxy-coated nickel-titanium wires are recommended 2
- Standard stainless steel wires (typically AISI type 304 or nickel-free BioDur 108) are suitable for most patients without metal allergies 4
- Consult with wire manufacturers regarding the chemical compatibility of wire materials with dental materials being used 3
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Avoid using nickel-containing wires (standard nickel-titanium or stainless steel) in patients with known nickel allergies as they can cause allergic reactions 2
- Do not reuse single-use disposable wires as they are neither designed nor intended to be cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized for reuse 3
- Avoid using nitride-coated nickel-titanium wires for patients with nickel allergies as the coating does not significantly affect the corrosion of the underlying alloy 2
- Never handle wires without appropriate protective equipment, as they are considered sharp items that can cause injury and potential infection transmission 3