Forces released by esthetic preadjusted appliances with low-friction and conventional elastomeric ligatures.
BACKGROUND
In this in-vitro study, we compared the forces generated by 2 types of esthetic brackets (Aqua [Leone Orthodontic Products, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy] and Mystique [GAC International, Bohemia, NY]) in association with low-friction ligature systems (Slide [Leone Orthodontic Products] and Neo-Clips [GAC International], respectively) and by the same brackets combined with conventional elastomeric ligatures (CEL) during the leveling and aligning phases.


METHODS
The testing model consisted of 5 esthetic ceramic 0.022-in preadjusted brackets for the second premolar, the first premolar, the canine, the lateral incisor, and the central incisor. The canine bracket was bonded to a sliding bar that allowed for various vertical positions. The forces generated by a 0.014-in superelastic nickel titanium wire, with the 2 types of esthetic low-friction systems (Aqua with Slide and Mystique with Neo-Clips) and the same esthetic brackets with CEL at various amounts of canine misalignment (1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 mm) were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
A significantly greater amount of force was released with low-friction systems when compared with CEL systems for all the tested variables (P < .05), with the exception of the 1.5-mm canine misalignment, and the 6.0-mm canine misalignment limited to Mystique with Neo-Clips. Similar forces were released with both esthetic low-friction systems. The average amount of released force with CEL was approximately zero at 3.0 mm or more of canine misalignment.
Camporesi
Matteo
M
Department of Orthodontics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Baccetti
Tiziano
T
Franchi
Lorenzo
L
D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D004548:Elasticity; D020724:Elastomers; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D017276:Friction; D003765:Models, Dental; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D014025:Titanium; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*
D020724:Elastomers; D014025:Titanium