Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the frictional coefficients of different ligature materials with combination of stainlesssteel arch wire and bracket. Materials and methods: Ten ligatures were used for each of stainlesssteel, elastotomeric and teflon utilized with stainless steel arch wires and brackets. A simulated halfarch fixed apparatus was designed for measuring the static and kinetic frictional coefficient of the slidebracket incorporated with tensile testing machine. The data were analyzed by using the descriptive andvariance analyses of tests (ANOVA and Duncan’s Multiple Range test at p≤ 0.05) to reveal the significantdifference of the frictional coefficient among the three types of ligature materials. Results: It wasdisclosed that the elastomeric ligature had a very highly significant increased mean value of the staticand kinetic frictional coefficients as compared with other ligatures. Conclusions: The elastomeric ligatureis not recommended for use with sliding stainless steel bracket on the arch wire.
