title: An in vitro study into the efficacy of complex tooth alignment with conventional and self-ligating brackets.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of tooth alignment achieved by various small cross-section archwire/bracket combinations using the orthodontic measurement and simulation system.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised three types of orthodontic brackets 1) conventional ligating (Victory Series and Mini-Taurus), 2) self-ligating (SmartClip a passive self-ligating bracket and Time3 an active self-ligating bracket), and 3) a conventional low-friction bracket (Synergy). All brackets had a nominal 0.022″ slot size. Brackets were combined with 1) 0.012″ stainless steel, 2) 0.012″ Orthonol, 3) 0.012″ Thermalloy, and 4) 0.0155″ coaxial archwires. Archwires were tied to the conventional brackets with stainless steel ligatures and elastomeric rings. The malocclusion simulated represented a central upper incisor displaced 2 mm gingivally (x-axis) and 2 mm labially (z-axis).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The inciso-gingival correction achieved by the different archwire/bracket combinations ranged from 15 to 95%, while the labio-lingual correction ranged from 10 to 95%. The smallest correction was achieved by coaxial, Orthonol, and thermally archwires when ligated with the elastomeric rings to conventional brackets. Stainless steel archwires achieved from 65 to 90% of inciso-gingival correction and from 60 to 90% of labio-lingual correction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The resultant tooth alignment was the product of interaction between the archwire type, bracket type, and bracket design including ligature type. Small cross-sectional archwires might produce up to 95% correction if combined properly with the bracket system. Elastomeric rings when used with conventional brackets limit the efficacy of malalignment correction.
authors.affiliation: Orthodontic Department, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Mansoura, Mansoura, Egypt; School of Dentistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Montasser
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Keilig
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bourauel
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D020724:Elastomers / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets / Q000145:classification; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D003722:Dental Alloys; D020724:Elastomers; D013193:Stainless Steel
keywords: orthodontic archwires; orthodontic brackets; tooth alignment