Comparison of effectiveness of different low friction bracket systems and conventional brackets in the leveling phase

Introduction: The aim of our study is to investigate the efficiency of conventional edgewise brackets, two different self ligating brackets and a low friction elastomeric ligature for mandibular crowding alleviation, and effects of different bracket/ligation methods on mandibular arches. Materials and methods: 60 patients with severe mandibular crowding (Ir>6mm), complete eruption of all mandibular teeth and no planned extraction in mandibular arch selected for the study. Then 60 patients randomly assigned in one of four different groups: conventional brackets with elastic ligatures, SmartClip brackets, Damon Brackets and conventional brackets with Slide low friction ligatures. Efficiency of alleviation of mandibular crowding is assessed by the changes in irregularity index, and effects on mandibular arches are investigated with intercanine width, intermolar width and arch length measurements, in four month period. Results and conclusions: Kruskall-Wallis analysis revealed no statistical difference between four different bracket/ligation groups both for the efficiency in resolving mandibular crowding and effects on mandibular arches. By the end of 4th month, while no significant change observed in mandibular inter molar width, Irregularity index decreased by 5.72±0.84mm. Intercanine width increased significantly by1.98±0.63mm and arch length increased significantly by 2.35±1.2mm