[Study on frictional characteristics of KB horizontal brackets. A comparative study of kinetic frictional forces to be caused between various kinds of brackets and wires].

KB horizontal brackets were designed to tip no more than 6 degrees at the maximum. This tipping amount is based on the idea of reducing friction between a wire and brackets to allow the effective tooth movement of the Begg technique even with horizontally long brackets, and does not originate in the concept of carrying out tipping movement. Thereon, experimental measurements by use of Rheometer were conducted to review for comparison of the kinetic frictional forces caused between various wires and the following four types of brackets; KB horizontal brackets, Tip edge brackets, Straight edge brackets and Begg brackets. 1. In case of utilizing ribbon arch wires and rectangular wires, no significant difference was acknowledged among Tip edge, KB horizontal and Straight edge brackets. 2. There proved to be a reduction in the kinetic frictional forces by incorporating tip into the edgewise slots, when using smaller dimensions of the wires which call for the effective tooth movement, however, Begg brackets (in conjunction with Ordinary T-pins and/or Safety T-pins) showed the small value which is far less than that of the three kinds of brackets.