Effect of self-ligating bracket type and vibration on frictional force and stick-slip phenomenon in diverse tooth displacement conditions: an in vitro mechanical analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of self-ligating bracket (SLB) type and vibration on frictional force and stick-slip phenomenon (SSP) in diverse tooth displacement conditions when a levelling/alignment wire was drawn.

Materials And Methods: A total of 16 groups were tested (n = 10/group): Two types of SLBs [active SLB (ASLB, In-Ovation R) and passive SLB (PSLB, Damon Q)]; vibration (30 Hz and 0.25 N) and non-vibration conditions; and 4 types of displacement [2mm lingual displacement of the maxillary right lateral incisor (LD), 2mm gingival displacement of the maxillary right canine (GD), combination of LD and GD (LGD), and control]. After applying artificial saliva to the typodont system, 0.018 copper nickel-titanium archwire was drawn by Instron with a speed of 0.5mm/min for 5 minutes at 36.5°C. After static/kinetic frictional forces (SFF/KFF), and frequency/amplitude of SSP were measured, statistical analysis was performed.

Results: ASLB exhibited higher SFF, KFF, and SSP amplitude (all P < 0.001) and lower SSF frequency (all P < 0.05) than PSLB in all displacement groups. Vibration decreased SFF, KFF, and SSP amplitude and increased SSP frequency in control and all displacement groups (all P < 0.001). ASLB exhibited lower SSP frequency than PSLB only under non-vibration condition (P < 0.05 in LD and GD, P < 0.01 in LGD). However, regardless of vibration conditions, ASLB demonstrated higher SSP amplitude than PSLB in all displacement groups (all P < 0.001 under non-vibration; all P < 0.01 under vibration).

Conclusion: Even in tooth displacement conditions, vibration significantly reduced SFF, KFF, SSP amplitude, and increased SPP frequency in both PSLB and ASLB. However, in vivo studies would be needed to confirm the clinical significance.