Comparing HANT and Conventional NiTi Archwires in Alignment

Comparing the Alignment Effectiveness of Heat-activated Nickel-titanium (HANT) Versus Conventional Sequences Nickel-titanium (NiTi) Archwires: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the efficiency of two orthodontic archwire sequences for correcting maxillary anterior crowding. Forty extraction patients (Little's irregularity index: 7-9 mm) were randomly assigned to either a sequence incorporating heat-activated nickel-titanium (HANT) archwires or a conventional NiTi sequence. Digital scans at baseline and monthly intervals up to 6 months assessed alignment changes, while CBCT measured root length and alveolar bone alterations. Pain intensity was recorded using a visual analog scale at 24 hours, 3 days, and 1 week after archwire placement. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Orthodontic
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Archwires

Detailed Description

Objective: To compare the clinical efficiency of two sequences of orthodontic wires to correct crowding of the maxillary anterior teeth, one using conventional nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwires and the other utilizing nickel-titanium (NiTi) combined heat-activated nickel-titanium (HANT) archwires in terms of alignment effectiveness, tooth root length, alveolar bone changes, and pain intensity. Methods: Forty patients requiring fixed orthodontic treatment with Little's irregularity index of 7 to 9 mm, who needed first premolar extractions, were recruited. A lottery was conducted for the patients, assigning odd numbers to use HANT archwires (0.014 NiTi, 0.019x0.025 HANT, and 0.019x0.025 SS). (Group 1), and even numbers to use conventional NiTi archwire sequences (0.014 NiTi, 0.016 NiTi, 0.016x0.022 NiTi, 0.019x0.025 NiTi, and 0.019x0.025 SS) (Group 2). Digital scans were taken of the maxilla arch before archwire placement (T0) and at each month (30 days) follow-up leading up to the 6th month (T6). The rate of tooth alignment was measured on digital dental casts by determining Little's irregularity index. The pain experienced by the patient was evaluated 24 hours, 3 days, and 1 week following the placement of the archwire, using a visual analog scale (VAS). Cone beam computed tomographic (CBCT) radiographs of the maxillary anterior teeth were taken before and after alignment to evaluate changes in tooth root length and alveolar bone. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 18.0), with significance at p ≤ 0.05.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 52
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Vietnam
  • Can Tho, Vietnam, 90000
    • Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with Class I malocclusion on both sides
• aged between 16 and 25 years with permanent dentition
• bilateral extraction of the maxillary first premolar
• maxillary Little's irregularity index between 7-9 mm
• patients with no periodontal disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who had previous orthodontic treatment,
• spacing in the maxillary anterior region
• suffer from bleeding disorders, diabetes, bone diseases, periodontal disease, and cancer, as well as those using drugs (such as aspirin, heparin, warfarin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and glucocorticoids)
• Patients with trauma and facial deformities, smokers, or pregnant were excluded from the study.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Conventional NiTi AWs; even numbers to use conventional NiTi archwire sequences (0.014 NiTi, 0.016 NiTi, 0.016x0.022 NiTi, 0.019x0.025 NiTi, and 0.019x0.025 SS)	Procedure: Archwires; All patients were treated with 0.022-inch MBT brackets and sequential NiTi/HANT archwires. A 0.014 NiTi wire was placed initially, followed by monthly archwire changes if no deflection remained. Digital scans were taken from baseline (T0) to 6 months (T6) to measure alignment using Little's irregularity index. Pain was recorded at 24 hours, 3 days, and 1 week with a visual analog scale. CBCT scans before and after alignment assessed root length and alveolar bone changes, with standardized 3D superimpositions ensuring accurate comparisons.
Experimental: HANT Aw; odd numbers to use HANT arch wires (0.014 NiTi, 0.019x0.025 HANT, and 0.019x0.025 SS).	Procedure: Archwires; All patients were treated with 0.022-inch MBT brackets and sequential NiTi/HANT archwires. A 0.014 NiTi wire was placed initially, followed by monthly archwire changes if no deflection remained. Digital scans were taken from baseline (T0) to 6 months (T6) to measure alignment using Little's irregularity index. Pain was recorded at 24 hours, 3 days, and 1 week with a visual analog scale. CBCT scans before and after alignment assessed root length and alveolar bone changes, with standardized 3D superimpositions ensuring accurate comparisons.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Alignment effectiveness	The rate of tooth alignment was measured on digital dental casts by determining Little's irregularity index	Baseline (T0) and at each month (30 days) follow-up leading up to the 6th month (T6).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Tooth root length	The change of tooth root length after 6 months	Baseline (T0), After 6 months (T6)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): July 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 30, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 12, 2025
• First Posted (Estimated): September 16, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): September 16, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 12, 2025
• Last Verified: September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: FOS CTUMP

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No