Torque capacity of metal and plastic brackets with reference to materials, application, technology and biomechanics

The aim of the present study was to investigate slot deformation and the equivalent torque capacity of plastic brackets in comparison with those of a metal bracket in vitro and to simulate them under clinical conditions.

For this purpose the expansion characteristics of the brackets and their resistance to extraoral mechanical loading were compared in in-vitro activating experiments. In a further investigation, the labial crown torque of an upper central incisor was measured in a simulated intraoral clinical situation, using the Orthodontic Measuring and Simulation System (OMSS). Four types of bracket manufactured by Forstadent, Pforzheim, Germany, were tested: the plastic brackets Aesthetik-Line and Brillant, the latter from a previous series (Brillant-old) and from a modified series (Brillant-new), and the metal bracket MINI-MONO. For testing purposes the brackets were torqued with 0.016" x 0.022" (0.41 x 0.56 mm) and 0.018" x 0.022" (0.46 x 0.56 mm) ideal steel archwires (Remanium, Dentaurum, Ispringen, Germany).

In the activating experiments, significantly higher torque losses and lower torquing moments were registered with both rectangular archwires with the plastic brackets than with the metal bracket. In the simulation tests, significantly higher torquing moments were registered with the metal bracket than with the plastic brackets. The OMSS model approximates the clinical situation, with the torque loss being notably higher than in the in-vitro activating experiments. This is due to the adjacent teeth giving the archwire additional play. In addition, the torquing process of the rectangular wire may deform the archwire, resulting in subsidiary forces.

On the basis of the present results, the Brillant and Aesthetik-Line plastic brackets and the MINI-MONO metal bracket can be recommended for torquing. In view of the high torque losses, however, the torques programmed in the straight wire technique must be seen as questionable. It would be helpful to the practitioner if data were provided by the manufacturer on the flexing to be expected in plastic brackets, which has to be offset by additional torque or the possible renunciation of bracket torque.