Abstract :
Objectives: To evaluate the dimensional accuracy of slot base width and slot top width of ten commercially available bracket systems and to investigate the slot profile.
Materials and Methods: 0.022-inch upper right central incisor stainless steel brackets of ten different bracket systems (Gemini (3M Unitek), Victory series (3M Unitek), Master Brackets (American Orthodontics), Microline (Tomy), Equilibrium (Dentaurum), Micro- LPTM (Modern Orthodontics), SapphireTM (Modern Orthodontics), Mini 2000 (Orrmco), Mini Diagonali (Leone) and Midi Diagonali (Leone)) were measured using a
stereomicroscope to determine the slot base widths, slot top widths and slot profile.
Results and discussion: The slot widths of all bracket systems significantly differed from each other (p
bracket systems studied.
Conclusion: The bracket slot dimensions could be inaccurate due to improper machining and this adversely affects the three-dimensional tooth movement.
Keyword :
Slot dimensions, slot profile, machining inaccuracy.