Comparison of frictional resistance between four types of brackets in combination with stainless steel and beta-titanium archwires

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the frictional resistance generated by four different types of brackets in combination with stainless steel (SS) and titanium molybdenum alloy (TMA) archwires. Materials and Methods: Maxillary premolar brackets were used in this study. These brackets were divided into eight groups comprising seven samples each. Of the eight groups, four groups were combined with SS and four groups were combined with TMA archwires. The testing was done in the presence of human saliva. The static frictional resistance was calculated for each group. One-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests were done to compare the friction generated by each group. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the friction generated by the monocrystalline brackets and the other bracket groups (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in static friction generated between self-ligating and conventionally ligated brackets. There was a statistically significant difference between the frictional resistance produced by SS and TMA wires (P = 0.02) with regard to monocrystalline ceramic brackets only. Conclusion: Monocrystalline ceramic brackets (Radiance) were found to generate the highest frictional resistance during sliding mechanics when compared to other brackets in combination with both SS and TMA wires. Self-ligating brackets did not show a statistically significant reduction in friction when compared to conventional ligation. There was a statistically significant difference between SS and TMA wires when used with monocrystalline brackets.