Nickel Titanium

Nickel Titanium (NiTi) is an alloy made from nickel and titanium, which has been used more and more in orthodontics since the 1980’s, particularly in the manufacture of orthodontic wires but also for the locking-clip on the Speed-Bracket. Most nickel titanium wires are about 25% more rigid than steel wire of a corresponding thickness. For this reason, NiTi wires are often used as the primary and secondary wires for fixed braces in order to straighten the teeth before steel wires can be used. Despite their high level of nickel content, NiTi wires have proven that they can be well tolerated. Their use means that less force has to be used during the first phase of treatment, which presumably speeds up the treatment overall in comparison with older materials.