Surface analysis of metal clips of ceramic self-ligating brackets

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze the surface composition, roughness, and relative friction of metal clips from various ceramic self-ligating brackets.MethodsSix kinds of brackets were examined. The control group (mC) consisted of interactive metal self-ligating brackets while the experimental group (CC, EC, MA, QK, and WA) consisted of interactive ceramic self-ligating brackets. Atomic force microscopy-lateral force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to analyze the surface of each bracket clip.ResultsAll the clips in the experimental groups were coated with rhodium except for the QK clip. The results showed that the QK clip had the lowest average roughness on the outer surface, followed by the MA, EC, WA, and CC clips. However, the CC clip had the lowest average roughness on the inner surface, followed by the QK, WA, MA, and EC clips. The QK clip also had the lowest relative friction on the outer surface, followed by the MA, EC, CC, and WA clips. Likewise, the CC clip had the lowest relative friction on the inner surface, followed by the QK, WA, MA, and EC clips.ConclusionsThe surface roughness and relative friction of the rhodium-coated clips were generally higher than those of the uncoated clips.

Evaluation of friction on self-ligating and conventional brackets associated with different types of archwires submitted to sliding mechanics

“…This fact may be explained by the more polished, smoother surface and greater rigidity of this wire, so that in spite of the pressure exerted by the clips of the active self-ligating brackets, the contact surface of this wire would not be increased. In the case of conventional brackets, the elastic ligature would not produce sufficient force to increase the surface of contact at the bracket/archwire interface, corroborating the findings of previous studies in which the composition of the archwire and clip of the bracket were reported 2,11,16,18,19,21 .…”

“…The frictional force may vary according to the materials used, and whether the environment is wet or dry, type of brackets, archwires and ligations. Self-ligating brackets may be divided into active and passive types; the active types have a spring clip that invades the bracket slot putting pressure on the archwire, while in the passive system, the clip does not invade the slot, it only covers the slot without putting pressure on the archwire [1][2][3][4][5]7,10,12,[14][15][16][17][18][19] .…”

Comparison of frictional coefficient and surface roughness between three different active self-ligating brackets: An experimental in vitro study

“…[17] Surface roughness of the brackets can be affected by its surface structures, such as material, coating, manufacture techniques, and the interaction between bracket and archwire. [18]…”

Does the initial surface roughness of different CuNiTi wires affect the frictional resistance?

“…Currently, there are several esthetic self-ligating brackets available in the market, which are composed of different materials such as polycarbonate and ceramics 3 , 4 . The great advantage of these materials regarding metallic brackets is esthetics 5 .…”