An in vivo Study Comparing the Characteristics of Esthetic, Self-ligating and Metallic Brackets

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe aim of thisin vivostudy was to compare the characteristics of esthetic, self-ligating brackets (SLBs) and metallic brackets, to find bracket bond failures with SLBs and manually ligating brackets (MLBs), bracket breakages with SLBs and MLBs and staining with the SLBs. Seven patients were compared in each group. Standard light curing bonding methods were used in both the groups. Chairside time saving, appliance efficiency and bracket bond failures were compared among the groups whereas staining was observed with the SLBs. Appliance efficiency was evaluated by peer assessment rating (PAR) scores. Results showed significant chairside time being saved in SLBs, whereas the appliance efficiency was not significant. Bond failures were found only in SLBs as well as breakages along with staining. Henceforth, we could conclude that though SLBs had advantage of saving chairside time but also had disadvantage of losing more time with bond failures.Materials and MethodsTwo groups of seven patients were created: First group (seven patients) received treatment with OPAL SLBs (Ultradent products, USA) and second group (seven patients) received treatment with MLBs manually ligating metal brackets (Nu-Edge, TP Orthodontics, USA). Case selection was done for both the groups. Bonding procedure was done in both groups in which primer application was done on both tooth surface and bracket base in case of OPAL SLB's while in case of MLBs, primer was applied only on tooth surface. A questionnaire was evaluated for knowing patients comfort.ResultsComparison of mean values of PAR scores in both the groups for pre-, post-treatment and in the reduction of PAR scores was done.It showed that SLBs were 6.5 times quicker than the MLBs during the archwire changes, thus saving considerable chairside time. Treatment outcome after 120 days, in both groups was almost the same. The SLBs had many bracket bond failures while MLBs had none. SLBs had other shortcomings, such as bracket breakage, staining, cap opening, etc.How to cite this articleGaikwad SS, Deshpande A, Doshi SS, Mhatre A, Sonawane M. Anin vivoStudy Comparing the Characteristics of Esthetic, Self-ligating and Metallic Brackets. J Contemp Dent 2012;2(3):73-77.