Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: beta-titanium wire: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: beta-titanium wire

Sample item

An orthodontist needs a wire with lower stiffness than stainless steel that can still be formed into loops and can be welded. Which alloy is suitable?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Beta-titanium

Beta-titanium (TMA) has about 40 percent of the stiffness of stainless steel, good springback, excellent formability for loops and the ability to be welded. Nickel-titanium wires cannot readily be bent into permanent shapes, and stainless steel is stiffer.

Option by option

  • A. Beta-titanium (correct)

    Correct. Beta-titanium combines lower stiffness, formability and weldability.

  • B. Stainless steel

    Stainless steel is considerably stiffer than the wire required.

  • C. Cobalt-chromium

    Cobalt-chromium wires are about as stiff as steel before heat treatment.

  • D. Nickel-titanium

    Nickel-titanium is superelastic and cannot be bent into stable loops.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, Beta-titanium. Beta-titanium (TMA) has about 40 percent of the stiffness of stainless steel, good springback, excellent formability for loops and the ability to be welded.

Why is "Stainless steel" not the answer?

Stainless steel is considerably stiffer than the wire required.

Why is "Cobalt-chromium" not the answer?

Cobalt-chromium wires are about as stiff as steel before heat treatment.

Why is "Nickel-titanium" not the answer?

Nickel-titanium is superelastic and cannot be bent into stable loops.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: beta-titanium wire in Dentistry. Nickel-titanium wires cannot readily be bent into permanent shapes, and stainless steel is stiffer.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: beta-titanium wire?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.