Retrospective investigation of the effects and efficiency of self-ligating and conventional brackets.

Introduction: The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the effects and efficiency of self-ligating brackets compared with conventional brackets. A secondary purpose was to identify the pretreatment factors associated with the choice of self-ligating or conventional brackets.

Methods: The subjects were treated by 2 private practitioners who used both self-ligating and conventional brackets in their practices.