Korean J Orthod.  1991 Nov;21(3):543-559.

Comparison of the frictional resistance between orthodontic bracket & archwire

• Sung HM
• Park YC

Abstract

Practitioners are aware of the presence of friction between bracket system and arch wire during sliding movement of teeth. Clinically a mesiodistally applied force must exceed the frictional force to produce a tooth movement. The objective of this study were to determine, on a dry condition, changes in magnitude of friction with respect to load, 3rd order inclination (Torque), arch wire materials and ligature type. Three wire alloys (Stainless Steel, TMA, NiTi) in two wire sizes (.016, .016x, .022 inch) were examined respect to two bracket system (Straight, Standard), and two ligature type (Metal, Plastic ligature) at three levels of load (100g, 150g, 200g). The results were as follows; 1. Frictional resistance was found to increase with increasing load for S.S., TMA, NiTi. 2. The straight bracket system was exhibited more frictional force than standard bracket system for .016x, .022 S.S. tightly ligated metal ligature. But, torque difference did not increase friction for loose metal ligature & plastic ligature. 3. Regardless of the ligature type, torque and load, stainless steel wire sliding against stainless steel exhibited the lowest friction, and TMA sliding against stainless steel exhibited the highest friction. 4. The loose stainless steel ligature generated lower frictional resistance than plastic ligature in all experimental groups. 5. The following factors affected friction in decreasing order; wire material ligature type, and load.

MeSH Terms

Alloys
Friction*
Ligation
Orthodontic Brackets*
Plastics
Stainless Steel
Steel
Tooth
Tooth Movement
Torque
Alloys
Plastics
Stainless Steel
Steel