IN-VITRO ASSESSMENT OF A NOVEL BRACKET'S EFFECT ON RESISTANCE TO SLIDING

Abstract

IN-VITRO ASSESSMENT OF A NOVEL BRACKET'S EFFECT ON RESISTANCE TO SLIDING by James N. Blackburn, D.D.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2015 Thesis Director: Eser Tufekci, D.D.S., M.S., Ph. D., M.S.H.A. Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics Friction, binding and notching are the factors that contribute to resistance to sliding during orthodontic tooth movement. However, most attempts at reducing resistance aim only to reduce the archwire/ligature friction. In this study, a novel bracket with a unique design aimed to reduce all three components of resistance to sliding. Four types of brackets (passive and active self-ligating, traditionally ligated and the novel bracket, (n=5, each) were tested at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8o of tip on a 0.019 x 0.025”archwire. The resistance to sliding values were recorded. At 0o, the passive self-ligating and novel bracket showed reduced resistance when compared to the traditionally ligated bracket (P< 0.05). At the other angles of tip, no differences were observed among the brackets. These data suggest that the novel bracket could potentially decrease the resistance to sliding during orthodontic treatment and further studies are indicated to test the improved bracket design.