Comparison of Opal Self-Ligating Brackets with Manually Ligating Brackets

Abstract

This study was conducted with aim to evaluate the efficiency of the newly introduced Opal self-ligating brackets (SLB). The chairside time saved, appliance efficiency, bracket bond failures, breakages and bracket staining in the Opal SLBs were compared with the conventional standard metal manually ligating brackets (MLBs) of MBT system. Seven patients were compared in each group. Standard light curing bonding methods were used in both the group. Chairside time saving, appliance efficiency and bracket bond failures were compared among the groups whereas staining was observed with the SLBs. Appliance efficiency was evaluated by PAR scores. Results showed significant chairside time being saved in SLBs, whereas the appliance efficiency was not significant. Bond failures were found only in SLBs as well as breakages along with staining. Henceforth, we could conclude that though SLBs had advantage of saving chairside time but also had disadvantage of losing more time with bond failures.

Are self-ligating brackets an advantageous alternative for non-extraction treatments?

“…However, sometimes, this clinical timesavings is negated by time loss related to emergencies due to unhooked or broken brackets 13 .…”