ABSTRACT

Aim:

This investigation aimed to evaluate the frictional forces produced by five different orthodontic brackets when used in combination with stainless steel and beta titanium archwires.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, four types of esthetic (Transcend 6000 SeriesTM, ClarityTM, Inspire IceTM and Brilliant TM) and one metal bracket (Victory SeriesTM) with Standard Roth prescription and 0.022 × 0.029 inch slot size were used. The brackets were used in combination with stainless steel and beta titanium archwires of 0.019 × 0.025 inch dimensions. Frictional forces released were measured in vitro by a Zwick Universal testing machine (model no Z250).

Results:

According to the data obtained, when used in combination with stainless steel and beta titanium archwires, the Transcend bracket revealed the highest frictional forces. The frictional forces measured for the Transcend bracket were significantly higher than the Victory and Clarity brackets which revealed similar frictional forces. Transcend and Inspire Ice brackets resulted in statistically similar frictional values. The Brilliant bracket showed similar frictional behavior to both the Victory and the Clarity brackets and the values obtained for this bracket were statistically lower than the values revealed by the Transcend and Inspire Ice brackets.

Conclusion:

Beta titanium archwire showed higher frictional forces than the stainless steel archwire in all bracket combinations except for the Brilliant bracket. The finding with the Brilliant bracket revealed that beta titanium and stainless steel archwires have similar frictional characteristics. The stainless-steel reinforced bracket slots decreases frictional force levels in ceramic brackets. Monocrystalline and polycrystalline ceramic materials produce similar frictional values. The polioxymethylene material reduces the amount of friction in plastic brackets to levels encountered in conventional stainless-steel brackets.