Comparison Of Friction In Coated Stainless Steel Archwires Using Ceramic Brackets And Ceramic Self-Ligating Brackets – An Invitro Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate and compare friction in coated stainless steel archwires using ceramic brackets and passive ceramic self-ligating brackets with the concept of assessing the feasibility of combining esthetics and efficient mechanotherapy by reducing friction. Methods: Friction testing was done using a canine retraction model on jigs separately representing for ceramic brackets (Gemini Clear, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, California, USA) and ceramic self-ligating brackets (Damon Clear 2 Self -Ligating, Ormco, Orange, Calif). The coated wires tested were: Rhodium coated wires (Tomy Inc., Futaba, Fukushima, Japan), Teflon coated wires (Aditek, Cravinhos, SP, Brazil), and Epoxy resin coated wires (G&H Orthodontics, Franklin, IN, USA). The Universal Testing Machine was utilized to measure frictional losses. Results: Rhodium coated wires showed statistically significant values of higher friction when compared with Epoxy coated wires and Teflon coated wires. Epoxy coated wires in comparison with Rhodium coated wires showed a mean difference of 0.97N when evaluated with self-ligating ceramic brackets which was highly significant. In comparison with Teflon coated wires, there was a mean difference of 0.38N which was statistically significant at 0.05 level. Teflon coated wires exhibited lesser forces but the least frictional loss was associated with Epoxy coated wires. Conclusion: - The results from this study suggest that the least frictional loss was associated with Passive Self-ligating ceramic brackets in combination with Epoxy coated wires and Teflon coated wires.