Aim: To compare the kinetic frictional force of a conventional plastic preadjusted bracket with thermoplastic low-friction module ligation and a self-ligating bracket.
Materials and methods: The testing model consisted of four 0.022-inch conventional plastic preadjusted brackets; four 0.022-inch self-ligating brackets for the first premolar, canine, and lateral and central incisors; and a 0.014-inch superelastic nickel-titanium and a 0.019 × 0.025-inch stainless steel wire. The brackets were either aligned for both wires or out of line by 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm for only the 0.014-inch superelastic wire. The wires were pulled for 3.0 mm at a speed of 0.1 mm per second. Unpaired t tests were used to compare the mean differences of the measurements between the two bracket systems with both wires.
Results: No significant difference in the kinetic frictional force between the two bracket systems and the two wires were found for the 0.014-inch superelastic wire at 0-mm deflection.
Conclusion: Both bracket systems demonstrate low friction, which is beneficial for effective orthodontic tooth movement with light forces.
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