Evaluation of friction on self-ligating and conventional brackets associated with different types of archwires submitted to sliding mechanics

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to verify the frictional force during sliding mechanics in orthodontic tooth movement, using conventional metal brackets of the active and passive self-ligating types with stainless steel and copper nickel titanium archwires. Methods: This experimental in vitro study was conducted with conventional metal (Morelli, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil) brackets, active self-ligated (SLI Morelli, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil) and passive self-ligated (SLP Morelli, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil), with slot 0.022 x 0.028 inches and Roth prescription. The brackets were tested with rectangular section 0.019 x 0.025 inch copper nickel titanium and stainless steel archwires. For each type of bracket, 10 sets of plate/bracket/archwire segment (n=10) were fabricated. Non-parametric Kruskal Wallis and Dunn tests were used for comparison between types of brackets and Wilcoxon tests for comparison between types of archwires. Results: The results showed that the frictional force values were higher with copper nickel titanium than with stainless steel archwires (p<0.05). When copper nickel titanium archwires were used, the active self-ligating brackets showed higher frictional force values than the other types, followed by the conventional brackets. Lower frictional force values were observed with passive self-ligating brackets. For stainless steel archwires, no difference was observed between conventional and active self-ligating brackets, the passive self-ligating type presented lower frictional force values than the others. Conclusion: It was concluded that the higher frictional force was observed when active self-ligating brackets were associated with copper nickel titanium archwires. Lower frictional force was verified between passive self-ligating brackets combined with stainless steel archwires.

Keywords

• Orthodontic brackets
• Friction
• Orthodontic appliance design.