Comparative Analysis of Stress Distribution in Composite Resin Brackets with Metal Slot of Permanent Maxillary Central Incisor Using the Finite Element Method: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Purpose: For aesthetic reasons, composite resin brackets are widely used. However, related studies are rare. This pilot study sought to compare the stress distributions in two commercially available composite resin brackets with metal slot. Materials and Methods: Two commercially available resin brackets -- full-metal slot resin bracket (fSRB) and partial-metal slot resin bracket (pSRB) with straight wire appliance dimension of <TEX>$0.022{\times}0.028$</TEX> in -- were selected. In each bracket, 3-dimensional finite element models were constructed, and stress level was evaluated using finite element analysis. By loading the tipping force and torsion moment, which are similar to those applied by the stainless steel rectangular wire (<TEX>$0.019{\times}0.025$</TEX> -in), stress distributions were calculated, and von Mises stress values were obtained. Results: In pSRB and fSRB, the stress value of the torque moment was much higher than that of the tipping force. The pSRB showed higher stress value than fSRB in both tipping force and torque moment because of the difference in size and configuration of the metal frame inserted into the slot. More stress was also found to be concentrated on the slot area than the wing area in fSRB. Conclusion: The slot form of fSRB was found to be more resistant to the stress of tipping and torque than the slot form of pSRB. In addition, the slot areas -- rather than the wing areas -- of the bracket showed breakage susceptibility. Therefore, resistance to the torque moment on the slot area should be considered in bracket design.