Comparison of load transmission and bracket deformation between titanium and stainless steel brackets.

This study measures the load transmitted and structural integrity of stainless steel and titanium brackets on application of torsional forces. Both 0.018 and 0.022 inch slot size edgewise brackets were tested in a specially designed apparatus that applied a torque value of 45 degrees. The load generated was measured by an Instron Universal Testing Machine at intervals of 15 degrees, 30 degrees, and 45 degrees of torque application. The structural stability of the brackets was evaluated by measuring the bracket slot width with a traveling stereoscopic microscope before and after the brackets were subjected to torsional forces. The specimen population was composed of 80 brackets and 80 wire specimens. An independent sample t test was used for comparison of mean load generated at 45 degrees of torque application. Repeated measures ANOVA (one-way) comparison was used to evaluate changes in load at different torque levels for the stainless steel and titanium brackets. A paired t test (two-tail) was used to determine the difference between initial and final bracket slot width at 45 degrees of torque applied for the two bracket types. The titanium brackets transmitted higher loads at 15 degrees and 30 degrees torque and lower load at 45 degrees torque on application of torsional forces in comparison to stainless steel brackets. The titanium brackets demonstrated superior dimensional stability compared to stainless steel brackets (P < .0001).