Comparative Analysis of Displacements and Stress Produced by Square and Rectangular Bracket Slot With Incremental Torque: A Finite Element Analysis Study

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to perform a comparative analysis of stresses and displacements with incremental torque on the maxillary incisors and surrounding cortical bone using conventional metal brackets with rectangular slots and passive self-ligating brackets with square slots using finite element analysis (FEA). Materials and methods: An in vitro FEA study was conducted, in which a three-dimensional (3D) model of the maxilla was built using ANSYS software version 18 (ANSYS Inc., Canonsburg, PA). The conventional McLaughlin, Bennet, and Trevisi (MBT) bracket (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA) of 0.022 × 0.028-inch slot with a 0.019 × 0.025-inch rectangular stainless steel (SS) archwire (model 1) was compared with the Pitts 21™ self-ligating bracket system (OC Orthodontics, McMinnville, OR) of 0.021 x 0.21-inch slot with a 0.020 × 0.020-inch square SS archwire (model 2) at incremental torques of 5°, 10°, 15°, and 20°. The von Mises stress was evaluated at the maxillary incisors and surrounding cortical bone. The torque moment, tipping angle, and displacement of the maxillary incisors were also measured and compared between the bracket systems. Results: The highest torque expression of 13.8 N-mm was observed in model 2, compared to a torque expression of 10.68 N-mm in model 1. The torque expression increased in both models from 0°to 20 ° . There was a play of 6.2°at 20°torque in model 2, whereas it was 9.32°​​​​​​​play in model 1. The torque expressions were better for the lateral incisors than for the central incisors. Increased incremental torque was associated with increased proclination of the incisors, and this movement was more pronounced for the central incisor and model 1. Furthermore, it was revealed that the stresses on the cortical bone and teeth were higher in model 2 than in model 1. Conclusion: It was concluded that the Pitts 21™ passive self-ligating system produced better torque expression and less play with square SS archwire compared to conventional brackets with rectangular SS archwire.