Evaluation of frictional forces of 4 different types orthodontic brackets combined with stainless steel and beta titanium arch wires

The aim of this present in vitro study was to evaluate the static friction force of four different types of brackets and two different arch wire materials in different arch wire bracket angulations. Four different types of maxillary first premolar brackets (Damon, Smart Clip, Quick, Victory ) with a slot size 0.022 inç were coupled with 0.019 x 0.025 inç stainless steel and beta titanium arch wires in 0° (active configuration) and second 5° (passive configuration) angulations. A total number of hundred arch wires and brackets were used, and ten tests were carried out in each group of bracket-wire combination at room temperature and in dry state. Frictional forces were measured by Zwick/Roel testing machine. The results showed that, in zero degree angulation, Damon and Smart Clip brackets produced the lowest friction force followed by Quick and Victory brackets which were ligated with stainless steel ligatures and Victory brackets which were ligated with elastomeric ligatures in combination with stainless steel and beta titanium arch wires. In five degree angulation, Damon, Smart Clip and Quick brackets produced the lowest friction force followed by Victory brackets which were ligated with stainless steel ligatures and Victory brackets which were ligated with elastomeric ligatures tested in combination with stainless steel and beta titanium arch wires. In active and passive configurations, resistance to sliding of self ligating brackets was lower than the conventional brackets. All brackets exhibited increased resistance to sliding as the angulation increased. In zero degree angulation, passive self ligating brackets had lower resistance to sliding than active ones; whereas, in five degree angulation, there was no difference between active and passive self ligating brackets.Beta titanium arch wires showed significantly more friction than stainless steel wires with all bracket and angulation combinations.