Biodegradation of the orthodontic bracket system.

Corrosion of the orthodontic appliance may occur in vivo with time. Electrochemical breakdown of corrosion-resistant high nickel and titanium wire can also occur. The use of recycled brackets could possibly accelerate the corrosion process. New and recycled brackets were evaluated in vitro in an artificial saliva system. The results indicated that different brands of new brackets have differences in corrosion behavior. In addition, recycling by the three commercial processes tested increased the liability of brackets to undergo corrosion. Superior behavior was noted for two types of bracket bases. Bracket corrosion may be assessed by a simple in vitro test.