Comparison of frictional resistance of esthetic and semi-esthetic self-ligating brackets

Sliding behaviour and surface quality after static air polishing of conventional and modern bracket materials : In vitro analysis

OBJECTIVES

As part of orthodontic treatment, air polishing is routinely used for professional tooth cleaning. Thus, we investigated the effects of static powder polishing on sliding behaviour and surface quality of three different bracket materials (polymer, ceramic, metal), including a 3D-printed bracket.

METHODS

Two bracket types of each material group were polished with an air-polishing device using sodium bicarbonate. Exposure times were set at 10, 20, and 60 s; the application distance was 5 mm. The force loss due to sliding resistance was tested with an orthodontic measurement and simulation system (OMSS) using a 0.016 inch × 0.022 inch stainless steel archwire. Untreated brackets served as control. Polishing effects and slot precision were evaluated using an optical digital and scanning electron microscope.

RESULTS

Sliding behaviour and slot precision differed significantly between and within the groups. Prior to polishing, polymer brackets showed the least force loss, ceramic brackets the highest. With progressive polishing time, the resistance increased significantly with titanium brackets (26 to 37%) and decreased significantly with steel brackets (36 to 25%). Polymer brackets showed the smallest changes in force loss with respect to polishing duration. Slot precision showed the largest differences between material groups and was primarily manufacturer-dependent with hardly any changes due to the polishing time.

CONCLUSION

Powder polishing can positively or negatively affect the sliding properties of the bracket-archwire complex but is more dependent on the bracket-archwire material combination (i.e., manufacture-dependent slot precision). For titanium brackets, resistance only increased after 60 s of polishing. For ceramic brackets, effective reduction was observed after 10 s of polishing. Polymer brackets, including the 3D-printed brackets, showed better sliding properties than ceramic or metal brackets even after polishing for 60 s. Removal of plaque and dental calculus should lead to a noticeable improvement of the sliding properties and outweighs structural defects that may develop.

Evaluation of the force generated by gradual deflection of 0.016-inch NiTi and stainless steel orthodontic wires in self-ligating metallic and esthetic brackets

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the deflection forces of 0.016-inch Nitinol and stainless steel orthodontic wires, in association to different self-ligating brackets.

Material and Methods

Specimens were mounted in a clinical simulation model and evaluated in a Universal Testing Machine (INSTRON 3342), using a 10N load cell and ISO 15,841, as a protocol. Eight of these models were prepared, each one for the bonding of each set of self-ligating accessories to be tested: Damon Q, Damon Clear (Ormco), In-Ovation R, In-Ovation C (GAC), BioQuick, QuickClear (Forestadent), SmartClip and Clarity SL (3M). Data were subjected to One-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey tests (P<0.05).

Results

Elastic deflection results showed that the deactivation forces increased with increase in wire deflection in the different brackets evaluated. For the different combinations, Clarity SL generated the greatest force and Damon Clear presented the lowest force when compared to the other brackets in all alloys and deflections. BioQuick and QuicKlear were those with the most similar behavior with each other.

Conclusions

Strength values increased with gradual increase in wire deflection in all evaluated brackets. Clarity SL generated the greatest and Damon Clear the lowest force when compared to the other brackets in all alloys and deflections tested.

Key words:Brackets, orthodontic wires, deflection.

Evaluation of friction in metal, ceramic and self-ligating brackets submitted to sliding mechanics

Abstract Objective With the purpose of evaluating the best results for a proposed orthodontic treatment, the aim of this research was to verify the frictional force between archwires and orthodontic brackets in sliding mechanics. Material and method Three different types of brackets were used: conventional metal, self-ligating metal and conventional polycrystalline esthetic type (n=10), totaling 30 brackets and .019 x .025 inches stainless steel rectangular wire. An acrylic plate was used. The wire was fixed to the brackets (conventional metal and conventional polycrystalline esthetic) with esthetic elastomeric ligation. The acrylic plate together with the 019 x 0.025 inches wire fitted to it was attached to the base plate of the Instron 4411 universal test machine so that it was positioned perpendicular to the ground. The bracket was drawn through the archwire segment at a speed of 5 mm / minute for a distance of 5 mm. For each type of bracket, ten tests were performed, with the bracket and archwire set being changed for each repetition. Data were analyzed by one-way Analysis of Variance (p <0.0001) and the Tukey Test (p <0.05). Result Convencional metal and self-ligating brackets presented similar friction (p>0.05), while ceramic bracket presented higher frictional resistance during sliding test (p<0.05). Conclusion It was concluded that the type of bracket influenced the frictional force value obtained, and better results were found when the metal and self-ligating brackets were used. The ceramic bracket presented a higher frictional force value.