Nd:YAG laser welding for orthodontic appliances : biocompatibility and corrosion

AIM: Even if orthodontic materials are used for relatively short treatment, the problem of biocompatibility including corrosion is as relevant in orthodontics as it is in prosthetics. The aims of this study were to compare brazing and laser welding. MATERIL AND METHODS: Sixty patients from whom a gengival biopsy was obtained near to the site of the laser welding and braze. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of laser welding in constructing orthodontic appliances are: biocompatibility, no galvanic currents, no toxicity, no allergic reactions, no risk of cancer, no dental or periodontal reactions; high bond strength and corrosion resistance, since laser welding does not use solders of different metals; low thermal stress; time saving, greater precision and workability in processing than with soldering or other techniques. The ability to reproduce the laser beam assures a consistent quality in the results of the treatment.