ABSTRACT

Objectives

To examine the torque moment that occurs between esthetic brackets and bendable alloy (stainless steel [SS], titanium-molybdenum [Ti-Mo], and titanium-niobium [Ti-Nb]) wires.

Materials and Methods

This study examined ceramic (CR), zirconium oxide (ZC), polycarbonate (PC), and conventional metallic brackets (MT) (upper, 0.018-inch and 0.022-inch slots) combined with SS, Ti-Mo, and Ti-Nb wires using elastic module ligation. The torque moments delivered by various wire and bracket combinations were measured using a torque gauge apparatus. The wire torque angles at 5–40° were examined.

Results

The torque value increased in the order of CR, ZC, MT, and PC brackets for both 0.018-inch and 0.022-inch slots. The fracture points of the CR and ZC brackets combined with SS and Ti-Mo wires were approximately more than 30° and 35°, respectively. No fracture points were detected in the combination of ZC brackets and Ti-Nb wires.

Conclusions

The current study identified the material characteristics of CR, ZR, and PC brackets during torque tooth movements. The present results demonstrate a characteristic combined effect between different esthetic brackets and bendable alloy wires.

Torque moment, Third-order bend, Esthetic bracket, Bendable wire, Fracture point, Dental materials
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Author notes

a 

Clinical Resident, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan.

b 

Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan.

c 

Private Practitioner; and Part-time Lecturer, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan.

d 

Graduate Student, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan.

e 

Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan.

f 

Professor and Chairman, Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan.

g 

Professor and Chairman, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.

h 

Professor and Chairman, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan.

© 0000 by The EH Angle Education and Research Foundation, Inc.
2021