A novel β-titanium alloy orthodontic wire.

This literature review investigated a recently developed orthodontic wire composed of a β-titanium alloy known as "Gum Metal" and compared its properties with those of conventional wires. The attractive properties of Gum Metal include an ultra-low Young's modulus, non-linear elastic behavior, ultra-high strength, high yield strain, high ductility, and superplastic deformability without work hardening at room temperature. The unique multifunctional characteristics of this new orthodontic wire make it almost ideal for orthodontic applications. The results of this literature review indicate the strong potential use of Gum Metal wire for improving and enhancing the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment.