Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the static and kinetic frictional forces resulting from the combination of three self ligating lingual brackets and nickel titanium and stainless steel archwires at 0°, 5° and 10° second order angulations with the comparision of their surface morphology and roughness.
Methods: For this purpose, the frictional resistances between Evolution, In-Ovation L and Phantom right upper canine brackets (0,018x0,025 inch slot) and 0,016 inch nickel titanium, 0,016 inch and 0,016x0,022 inch dimension of stainless steel archwires were tested in the dry state. Frictional resistances were evaluated with the universal testing machine (Zwick). Surface characteristics of the brackets were investigated with atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Results:.The lowest friction was found in the combination of In-Ovation L brackets and 0,016 inch nickel titanium archwires at 0° angulation and the highest friction was found in the combination of Evolution brackets and 0016x 0,022 inch SS archwires at 10° angulation.
Conclusions: It was determined that the size and material of orthodontic wires coupled with lingual brackets investigated in the study are effective on the frictional force levels. Accordingly to the AFM analysis there was no statistically significant differences between Ra values of all types of brackets.