Self-ligating appliances: evolution or revolution?

Aims: To review the literature relating to self-ligating orthodontic appliances.

Methods: Narrative review of the relevant historic and contemporary research.

Results: Proposed advantages of these appliance systems include reduced friction, more efficient mechanotherapy, improved operator efficiency, and more secure ligation. Randomised clinical trials investigating these potential advantages have largely been equivocal.

Conclusions: Self-ligating brackets are here to stay and continue to be refined and enhanced. Further prospective studies investigating their clinical application and performance would be welcome.