Frictional Resistance in Various Ceramic Brackets using Archwires of different Alloys, Sizes and Cross sections: A Comparative Study

Ankur Gupta,Deepak Kumar Agarwal,P Narayana Prasad,Yash Raj Bahadur

doi:10.3126/ojn.v6i1.16174

Abstract

Introduction: Friction at the bracket-archwire interface has been observed as one of the most important factors affecting tooth movement. Hence it is importance to assess the friction generated during tooth movement to bring about optimal treatment results.Objective: To compare the frictional resistance of various ceramic brackets using different archwires, and to compare the static and kinetic frictional force of various ceramic brackets using different archwires.Materials & Method: The present study evaluated and compared the friction generated at the bracket archwire interface when 0.018” and 0.019”x0.025” stainless steel archwires and 0.019”x0.025” teflon coated stainless steel archwires were moved through conventionally ligated, passive self-ligating and interactive self-ligating ceramic brackets. The static and kinetic frictional forces were also evaluated and compared.Result: Highly significant differences in kinetic (p<0.001) and static (p<0.001) frictional forces were observed in all three groups when used with the different archwires. On comparing the static and kinetic frictional forces significant differences were observed among all three groups (p<0.05).Conclusion: The passive self-ligating brackets produce the least frictional forces when compared to interactive self-ligating and conventionally ligated brackets. Also, the static frictional forces were found to be more as compared to kinetic frictional forces.Orthodontic Journal of Nepal, Vol. 6 No. 1, June 2016, pp.18-22

Highlights

Friction at the bracket-archwire interface has been observed as one of the most important factors affecting tooth movement
The study consisted of eight millimeter long 0.018”stainless steel (3M Unitek), 0.019”x0.025” stainless steel (3M Unitek) and 0.019”x0.025” Teflon coated stainless steel (Spectra, GAC Dentsply) working archwires which were moved through three types of maxillary premolar brackets which were grouped as: Group 1 : Interactive self-ligating ceramic bracket (InOvation C, GAC Dentsply)
It was ensured that the bracket and archwire specimens could self-align during a test run, allowing tip and torque to be effectively eliminated as variables so that the effect of ligation method on friction could be studied in isolation

Summary

Introduction

Friction at the bracket-archwire interface has been observed as one of the most important factors affecting tooth movement. It is importance to assess the friction generated during tooth movement to bring about optimal treatment results. The efficiency of fixed appliance therapy depends on the fraction of force delivered with respect to the force applied; high frictional forces due to the interaction between the bracket and the guiding archwire affect treatment outcomes and duration in a negative manner.[3] When sliding mechanics are used, friction occurs at the bracket-wire interface. Some of the applied force is dissipated as friction, and the remainder is transferred to supporting structures of the tooth to mediate tooth movement.[4]. Self-ligating brackets were introduced in the mid-1930s in the form of Russell attachment. Selfligating brackets are ligatureless bracket systems that have a mechanical device built into the bracket to close the slot.[5]

Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion