To compare force levels obtained from glass fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) archwires. Specifically, FRC wires were compared with polymer matrices having different dimethacrylate monomer compositions. FRC material (E-glass provided by Stick Tech Ltd, Turku, Finland) with continuous unidirectional glass fibres and four different types of dimethacrylate monomer compositions for the resin matrix were tested. Cross-sectionally round FRC archwires fitting into the 0.3 mm slot of a bracket were divided into 16 groups with six specimens in each group. Glass fibres were impregnated by the manufacturer, and they were initially light-cured by hand light-curing unit or additionally post-cured in light-curing oven. The FRC archwire specimens were tested at 37°C according to a three-point bending test in dry and wet conditions using a span length of 10 mm and a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/minute. The wires were loaded until final failure. The data were statistically analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The dry FRC archwire specimens revealed higher load values than water stored ones, regardless of the polymer matrix. A majority of the FRC archwires showed higher load values after being post-cured. ANOVA revealed that the polymer matrix, curing method, and water storage had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the flexural behaviour of the FRC archwire. Polymer matrix composition, curing method, and water storage affected the flexural properties and thus, force level and working range which could be obtained from the FRC archwire.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of retainer material and retainer position on a tooth to resist movement of the tooth in a simulation model. Bidirectional continuous glass fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) retainers and control retainers of steel wires were tested. The FRC retainers had a polymer matrix of bisphenol-A-glycidyldimethacrylate (bis-GMA) and poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), and it was cured with a photoinitiator system. The retainers were adhered to a lower jaw Frasaco model in two different positions. Resistance against the movement of one tooth was measured from two directions. The average load values within the FRC retainer groups were higher than within the metal retainer groups. The load values for the groups loaded from the axial direction were higher than those loaded from the buccal direction. FRC retainers, which were located 1–2 mm from the incisal edge, showed higher load values than those located 4–5 mm from the incisal edge. There was a significant difference in load values between FRC retainers and metal retainers (p < 0.01). The wire position and the direction of force also had significant effects (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between metal retainer groups. The results of this study suggest that metal retainers are more flexible, allowing for tooth movements of larger magnitude than with FRC retainers.

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced composite (FRC) wires with different polymer matrices and compare them with steel wires commonly used in orthodontic retention. Eight groups of the FRC wires (cont