Summary
The objective of this study was to evaluate the frictional resistance created in self-ligating esthetic and conventional brackets during simulated orthodontic sliding mechanics. Four different types of brackets were used: 3 selfligating type of different brands (Clarity™ SL, 3M Unitek; Damon 3®, Ormco Corporation; In-Ovation C®, GAC International), in addition to conventional esthetic brackets (Radiance®, American Orthodontics) associated with conventional elastic ligatures (Sani-tie®, GAC International) and low friction ligatures (Slide®, Leone). To simulate sliding mechanics, stainless steel wires with thicknesses of 0.018″ and 0.017”x0.025” (GAC International) were used. Five groups (n=10) were submitted to five consecutive mechanical tests in a universal test machine model Emic® DL 500. The results showed low frictional levels in all tested self-ligating brackets and with use of 0.018” wire (p<0.05). However, with 0.017×0.025” wire, Groups Damon 3, Clarity SL and Slide showed lower frictional forces when compared with In-Ovation C (p>0.05). Moreover, conventional esthetic brackets associated with conventional ligatures resulted in greater frictional resistance with both wires tested (p>0.05). All the self-ligating brackets presented lower frictional levels than the conventional accessories. Active self-ligating bracket InOvation C, demonstrated higher degree of frictional force when associated with rectangular wire. The Slide® ligature may be an alternative to the use of self-ligating brackets.
KEY WORDS: Friction, tensile strength, orthodontic brackets.
How to cite this article
AMARAL, M. R. D.; NETO, P. S.; PITHON, M. M. & OLIVEIRA, D. D. Evaluation in vitro of frictional resistance of selfligating esthetic and conventional brackets. Int. J. Odontostomat., 8(2):261-266, 2014.
