Comparison of resistance to sliding between different self-ligating brackets with second-order angulation in the dry and saliva states.

Resistance to sliding was investigated for 3 self-ligating brackets having passive slides and 3 self-ligating brackets having active clips. Four of these products are currently marketed, and 2 are of historic interest. For all cases, an 0.018 x 0.025-in stainless steel archwire was drawn through each bracket at a rate of 10 mm/min over a distance of 2.5 mm. For each bracket, the resistances to sliding were measured at 14 second-order angulations, which ranged from -9 degrees to +9 degrees. Both the dry and the wet (human saliva) states were evaluated at 34 degrees C. From dimensional measurements, the critical contact angles for binding were determined for all products and ranged from 3 degrees to 5 degrees. Below each characteristic critical angle, brackets with passive slides exhibited negligible friction; brackets with active clips exhibited frictional forces as great as 50 cN (50 g). Above each critical angle, all brackets had elastic binding forces that increased at similar rates as angulation increased and were independent of bracket design. Generally speaking, at second-order angulations that exceeded the critical angle, brackets with active clips that had a low critical angle had more resistance to sliding than did brackets with active clips that had a higher critical angle. Brackets with passive slides that had a high critical angle exhibited the lowest resistance to sliding, but could do so at a cost of some loss of control. Nonetheless, self-ligating brackets represent a compromise between friction and control; ie, self-ligating brackets produce frictional forces that are more reproducible than do conventionally ligated stainless steel brackets but without the potential control problems associated with Begg-style brackets.