A Comparison of the Frictional Characteristics of Five Initial Alignment Wires and Stainless Steel Brackets at Three Bracket to Wire Angulations—an in Vitro Study

Abstract

The study investigated static planar frictional resistance between five initial alignment wires and stainless steel brackets at three bracket to wire angulations (0, 5 and 10 degrees). It was demonstrated that static frictional resistance increased significantly with increasing bracket to wire angulation due to binding within the system. Epoxy-coated steel had the highest static frictional resistance and coaxial stainless steel the lowest. Fibre-optic glass (Optiflex) had low frictional resistance. The coefficient of friction followed the trends of static frictional resistance in all respects.