Year : 2015

Volume : Volume 5

Issue : Issue 1

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Srikanth Aryasri Ankisetti
srikanth.a@gmail.com

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the static and kinetic friction in ceramic brackets when used with Teflon coated arch wires and esthetic ligatures/coated transparent elastomeric modules as compared to ceramic self-ligating brackets.  Materials and methods: Four types of brackets namely a) Conventional ceramic bracket with metal slot b) Conventional ceramic bracket without metal slot c) Passive Self ligating ceramic bracket with metal slot and d) Passive Self ligating ceramic bracket without metal slot were evaluated when used with Teflon coated wires of dimension (0.018" NiTi, 0.017x0.025" NiTi, 0.019x0.025" SS wires). In conventional brackets super Slick Mini Stik modules and Teflon coated stainless steel ligatures were used. Data relating to sample of 120 brackets was analysed using One-way ANOVA and Post hoc Tukey Test.   Results: With 0.018 NiTi” and 0.019x0.025” SS wires, self-ligating brackets with metal slots showed the least friction and with 0.017x0.025” NiTi wires conventional ceramic brackets with metal slots when ligated with coated modules showed the least friction.   Conclusion: Self ligating brackets showed least friction except with 0.017x0.025” wires. Conventional ceramic brackets with metal slots displayed less friction when ligated with Super Slick Mini Stik modules where as those without metal slots displayed less friction when ligated with Teflon coated ligatures. Ceramic brackets without metal slots showed the highest friction and the presence of the stainless steel slot played a major role in determining friction.

Keywords: Self ligating brackets, Ceramic brackets, Friction, Teflon coated ligatures and Super Slick Mini Stik modules.