Surface roughness of three types of modern plastic bracket slot floors and frictional resistance

Correlating Frictional Forces Generated by Different Bracket Types during Sliding and Surface Topography Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Optical Profilometer

AIM

The study aims to correlate the frictional forces (FF) of four different types of commercially available ceramic brackets to their surface topography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two monocrystalline (MC) brackets (CLEAR™, Adanta, Germany; Inspire ICE™, Ormco, USA), one polycrystalline (PC) bracket (Symetri Clear™, Ormco, USA), one clear hybrid esthetic bracket (DISCREET™, Adanta, Germany), and a stainless-steel (SS) bracket (Victory™, 3M Unitek, USA) served as control. Both static friction (SF) and kinetic friction (KF) were recorded during sliding using an Instron universal machine in dry settings. The bracket slot surface topography was evaluated. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a profilometer machine were used for assessment before and after sliding.

RESULTS

Frictional forces values during sliding were as follows in descending order; Inspire ICE™, CLEAR™, DISCREET™, Symetri Clear™, and, lastly, Victory™. Also, DISCREET™ scored the highest in surface roughness (Sa) values followed by Symetri Clear™. None of the correlations were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Frictional forces produced during sliding were not always directly related to surface roughness. Monocrystalline ceramic brackets appeared to have the greatest FF and a low surface roughness. Furthermore, DISCREET™ scored a very low frictional value comparable to metal brackets yet showed the highest surface roughness. Metal brackets exhibited the greatest surface smoothness before sliding and the least SF.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Predicting the FFs produced during sliding mechanics would help the practitioner while choosing the bracket system to be used, and while planning the treatment mechanics, how much force to deliver, and how much tooth movement to expect. How to cite this article: AlBadr AH, Talic NF. Correlating Frictional Forces Generated by Different Bracket Types during Sliding and Surface Topography Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Optical Profilometer. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(1):41-51.

Dimensional accuracy, mechanical property, and optical stability of zirconia orthodontic bracket according to yttria proportions

This in vitro study evaluated comprehensively the performances of zirconia brackets with varying yttria proportions in manufacturing advanced orthodontic brackets. Three experimental groups of zirconia brackets were fabricated using yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) materials with different yttria proportions-3 mol% yttria (3Y-YSZ), 4 mol% yttria (4Y-YSZ), and 5 mol% yttria (5Y-YSZ) (Tosoh Ceramic, Japan). A polycrystalline alumina ceramic bracket (3M™ Clarity™ Advanced, MBT 0.022-in. slot) was employed as the control group. Morphological properties, including slot surface structure and dimensions, were examined using scanning electron microscopy and surface profiler analysis. Manufacturing accuracy was assessed with root mean square calculations of trueness and precision. Mechanical properties were tested, encompassing static and kinetic frictional resistance (FR) and fracture strength. Optical stability was evaluated through 20,000 cycles of thermocycling and a 7-day immersion in various coloring agents. Within the limitations of this study, zirconia brackets containing 3 to 5 mol% YSZ presented enhanced reliability in terms of dimensional accuracy and demonstrated favorable optical stability. Notably, owing to its advantageous mechanical properties, the 3Y-YSZ variant showed remarkable potential as an advanced material for fabricating orthodontic brackets.

New aesthetic in-house 3D-printed brackets: proof of concept and fundamental mechanical properties

OBJECTIVES

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is an emerging manufacturing process for many orthodontic appliances, and the aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of resin-based materials as alternatives for the in-house preparation of orthodontic brackets.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two types of 3D printed resins used for temporary (T) and permanent (P) crown fabrication were included in this study. Ten blocks from each resin were manufactured by a 3D printer and, after embedding them in acrylic resin, the samples were subjected to metallographic grinding and polishing, followed by instrumented indentation testing (IIT). Martens hardness (HM), indentation modulus (EIT), and elastic index (ηIT) were determined with a Vickers indenter recording force-indentation depth curves from each specimen. After calculating descriptive statistics, differences between material types were investigated with Wilcoxon rank sum test accounting for clustering of measurements within specimens at alpha = 5%.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences in the mechanical properties of the two tested materials were seen: HM: median 279 N/mm2 (interquartile range [IQR] 275-287 N/mm2) for T and median 279 N/mm2 (IQR 270-285 N/mm2) for P (P value = 0.63); EIT: median 5548 MPa (IQR 5425-5834 MPa) for T and median 5644 (IQR 5420-5850 MPa) for P (P value = 0.84); ηIT: median 47.1% (46.0-47.7%) for T and median 46.0% (IQR 45.4-47.8%) for P (P value = 0.24).

CONCLUSIONS

Under the limitations of this study, it may be concluded that the mechanical properties of the two 3D printed resins tested are equal, and thus, no differences in their clinical performance are expected.

Comparison of static friction and surface topography of low friction and conventional TMA orthodontic arch wires: An in-vitro study

Background

Arch wire surface characteristics, especially surface roughness and topography, influence the coefficient of friction during sliding. The clinician should be familiar with the properties of orthodontic appliances and materials that could result in high friction to maximize the efficiency of treatment. This study aimed to compare the static friction of orthodontic arch wire materials, including a newly introduced low-friction TMA, conventional TMA, and stainless steel arch wires, using an Instron universal testing machine and to evaluate their surface topographical features using a noncontact optical profilometer.

Methods

A total of 30 arch wire specimens were used, including 10 low-friction TMA (TMA-Low), 10 conventional TMA (TMA-C), and 10 stainless steel (SS), (Ormco, Orange, CA, USA) measuring 0.016 × 0.022 in. The static frictional force of each arch wire material was measured using the universal Instron machine. The surface topography was evaluated using a noncontact profilometer machine.

Results

The static frictional resistance forces were highest in the TMA-C alloy group, and the value was statistically significant in comparison to the SS arch wire but not to the TMA-Low arch wire. The mean value of the static friction of the TMA-Low group was intermediate between the TMA-C and SS arch wires. However, this difference was statistically insignificant compared to the other two alloys. A surface roughness evaluation using a profilometer machine revealed that the highest mean of all three roughness parameters was found in the TMA-C group, followed by the TMA-Low and SS arch wires in descending order.

Conclusion

The static friction resistance forces and surface roughness values of the TMA-Low arch wire are comparable to those of TMA-C but are still considered inferior to those of the SS arch wire.

Incorporating Aminated Nanodiamonds to Improve the Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed Resin-Based Biomedical Appliances

The creation of clinically patient-specific 3D-printed biomedical appliances that can withstand the physical stresses of the complex biological environment is an important objective. To that end, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of aminated nanodiamonds (A-NDs) as nanofillers in biological-grade acrylate-based 3D-printed materials. Solution-based mixing was used to incorporate 0.1 wt% purified nanodiamond (NDs) and A-NDs into UV-polymerized poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The ND and A-ND nanocomposites showed significantly lower water contact angles (p < 0.001) and solubilities (p < 0.05) compared to those of the control. Both nanocomposites showed markedly improved mechanical properties, with the A-ND-containing nanocomposite showing a statistically significant increase in the flexural strength (p < 0.001), elastic modulus (p < 0.01), and impact strength (p < 0.001) compared to the control and ND-containing groups. The Vickers hardness and wear-resistance values of the A-ND-incorporated material were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than those of the control and were comparable to the values observed for the ND-containing group. In addition, trueness analysis was used to verify that 3D-printed orthodontic brackets prepared with the A-ND- and ND-nanocomposites exhibited no significant differences in accuracy. Hence, we conclude that the successful incorporation of 0.1 wt% A-ND in UV-polymerized PMMA resin significantly improves the mechanical properties of the resin for the additive manufacturing of precisive 3D-printed biomedical appliances.

Prophylaxis protocols and their impact on bracket friction force

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of two different prophylaxis protocols on the friction force in sliding mechanics during in vivo leveling and alignment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sample comprised 48 hemi-arches divided into three groups according to the prophylactic protocol adopted. Group 1 consisted of patients undergoing prophylaxis with sodium bicarbonate, group 2 consisted of patients submitted to prophylaxis with glycine, and group 3 consisted of patients without prophylaxis, as a control. All patients received hygiene instructions and, with the exception of group 3, prophylaxis was performed monthly. After 10 months, the brackets were removed from the oral cavity and submitted to friction force tests and qualitative analysis by scanning electron microscopy. Analysis of variance followed by Tukey tests was performed for intergroup comparison regarding the friction force.

RESULTS

The experimental groups presented significantly smaller friction forces than the group without prophylaxis. Accordingly, qualitative analysis showed greater debris accumulation in the group without the prophylactic procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic blasting with sodium bicarbonate or glycine can significantly prevent an increase of the friction force during sliding mechanics.

Surface analysis of metal clips of ceramic self-ligating brackets

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyze the surface composition, roughness, and relative friction of metal clips from various ceramic self-ligating brackets.

Methods

Six 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.

Results

All 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.

Conclusions

The surface roughness and relative friction of the rhodium-coated clips were generally higher than those of the uncoated clips.

Study of force loss due to friction comparing two ceramic brackets during sliding tooth movement

OBJECTIVE

To compare the percentage of force loss generated during canine sliding movements in newly introduced ceramic brackets with metal brackets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two types of ceramic brackets, namely polycrystalline alumina (PCA) ceramic brackets (Clarity Advanced) and monocrystalline alumina (MCA) ceramic brackets (Inspire Ice) were compared with stainless steel (SS) brackets (Victory Series). All bracket groups (n = 5 each) were for the maxillary canines and had a 0.018-inch slot size. The brackets were mounted on an Orthodontic Measurement and Simulation System (OMSS) to simulate the canine retraction movement into the first premolar extraction space. Using elastic ligatures, 0.016 × 0.022″ (0.40 × 0.56 mm) stainless steel archwires were ligated onto the brackets. Retraction force was applied via a nickel-titanium coil spring with a nearly constant force of approximately 1 N. The OMSS measured the percentage of force loss over the retraction path by referring to the difference between the applied retraction force and actual force acting on each bracket. Between group comparisons were done with one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS

The metal brackets revealed the lowest percentage of force loss due to friction, followed by the PCA and MCA ceramic bracket groups (67 ± 4, 68 ± 7, and 76 ± 3 %, respectively). There was no significant difference between SS and PCA brackets (p = 0.97), but we did observe significant differences between metal and MCA brackets (p = 0.03) and between PCA and MCA ceramic brackets (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

PCA ceramic brackets, whose slot surface is covered with an yttria-stabilized zirconia-based coating exhibited frictional properties similar to those of metal brackets. Frictional resistance resulted in an over 60 % loss of the applied force due to the use of elastic ligatures.

Evaluation of surface roughness of the bracket slot floor--a 3D perspective study

BACKGROUND

An important constituent of an orthodontic appliance is orthodontic brackets. It is either the bracket or the archwire that slides through the bracket slot, during sliding mechanics. Overcoming the friction between the two surfaces demands an important consideration in an appliance design. The present study investigated the surface roughness of four different commercially available stainless steel brackets.

METHODS

All tests were carried out to analyse quantitatively the morphological surface of the bracket slot floor with the help of scanning electron microscope (SEM) machine and to qualitatively analyse the average surface roughness (Sa) of the bracket slot floor with the help of a three-dimensional (3D) non-contact optical surface profilometer machine.

RESULTS

The SEM microphotographs were evaluated with the help of visual analogue scale, the surface roughness for group A = 0-very rough surface, group C = 1--rough surface, group B = 2--smooth surface, and group D = 3-very smooth surface. Surface roughness evaluation with the 3D non-contact optical surface profilometer machine was highest for group A, followed by group C, group B and group D. Groups B and D provided smooth surface roughness; however, group D had the very smooth surface with values 0.74 and 0.75 for mesial and distal slots, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluation of surface roughness of the bracket slot floor with both SEM and profilometer machine led to the conclusion that the average surface roughness was highest for group A, followed by group C, group B and group D.

Static and kinetic friction force and surface roughness of different archwire-bracket sliding contacts

The aim of this study was to determine the static and kinetic friction forces of the contact bracket-archwire with different dental material compositions in order to select those materials with lower resistance to sliding. We carried out sliding friction tests by means of a universal testing machine following an experimental procedure as described in ASTM D1894 standard. We determined the static and kinetic friction forces under dry and lubricating conditions using an artificial saliva solution at 36.5ºC. The bracket-archwire pairs studied were: stainless steel-stainless steel; stainless steel-glass fiber composite; stainless steel-Nitinol 60; sapphire-stainless steel; sapphire-glass fiber composite; and sapphire-Nitinol 60. The best performance is obtained for Nitinol 60 archwire sliding against a stainless steel bracket, both under dry and lubricated conditions. These results are in agreement with the low surface roughness of Nitinol 60 with respect to the glass fiber composite archwire. The results described here contribute to establishing selection criteria for materials for dental archwire-brackets.