Self-ligating appliances: evolution or revolution?
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature relating to self-ligating orthodontic appliances.


METHODS
Narrative review of the relevant historic and contemporary research.


RESULTS
Proposed advantages of these appliance systems include reduced friction, more efficient mechanotherapy, improved operator efficiency, and more secure ligation. Randomised clinical trials investigating these potential advantages have largely been equivocal.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-ligating brackets are here to stay and continue to be refined and enhanced. Further prospective studies investigating their clinical application and performance would be welcome.
Fleming
Padhraig S
PS
Department of Orthodontics, Royal London Hospital, London, United Kingdom. padhraigfleming@hotmail.com
DiBiase
Andrew T
AT
Lee
Robert T
RT
D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D019415:Torque