Self-Ligating Brackets Do Not

Self-ligating brackets do not
increase treatment
efficiency
CONTAINS
INTRODUCTION.
CHAIR-SIDE EFFICIENCY AND EASE OF USE.
EFFICIENCY OF TREATMENT.
EFFICIENCY OF ARCH ALIGNMENT.
RATES OF SPACE CLOSURE AND CANINE
RETRACTION.
OVERALL TREATMENT DURATION.
CONCLUSIONS.
REFERENCES.
INTRODUCTION
The Oxford English Dictionary defines efficiency as
achieving maximum productivity with minimum
wasted effort or expense.
Orthodontic pioneers have continuously sought
methods of enhancing treatment efficiency by
attempting to reduce the duration of orthodontic
treatment and the length of orthodontic
appointments.
Although mean treatment times of 1 to 2 years are
now typical, the drive to reduce orthodontic
treatment duration persists.
Many techniques and appliances, including surgical

techniques,vibratory stimulation, increased customization
of wires and brackets, eschewal of integral treatment
phases, and routine avoidance of extractions, continue to
be proposed with the expressed aim of furthering this
progression.
The most high profile of these developments has been
self-ligating brackets. Unfortunately, the marketing of
selfligating brackets has courted controversy, with some
advocates overly optimistic about the potential effects
and, consequently, overlooking or ignoring the findings
from clinical research studies.
In this article, we will review the evidence for many

of the claims made by those who promote self-ligating
brackets, even in the face of recently published
clinical research.
CHAIR-SIDE EFFICIENCY AND EASE

OF USE.
Evidence indicating that self-ligating systems result in a
consistent but modest reduction in chair-side time
compared with conventional appliances is plentiful (Table
I).
In a meta-analysis,16 results from comparable studies

reported mean time savings of 20 seconds per arch with
slide opening compared with ligature removal.
No significant time difference was noted, however, for
slide closure and replacement of ligatures.
Proponents have suggested that the saved time could be
used to schedule more patients, increase efficiency,
improve patient relations, or allow oral hygiene
reinforcement.
However, it could also be suggested that a saving of 40
seconds per patient is insignificant and would not make
many operators change their practice.
EFFICIENCY OF TREATMENT
Early research examining the relationship between selfligating brackets and overall treatment time was observational.
These studies were invariably compromised by the compelling
possibilities of selection bias, observer bias, and confounding,
including susceptibility to uncontrolled factors such as varying
operator experience and preference, differing archwires and
sequences, and inconsistent appointment intervals.
These studies were most notable for large reported

discrepancies in treatment durations, with mean treatment
times for conventional brackets ranging from 23.5to 31
months.
This inconsistency suggests that any advantage attributable to

bracket type is likely to be dwarfed by extraneous factors,
including the skills, standards, and ability of the operator.
Nevertheless, the enduring message from these studies was that
self-ligating brackets were responsible for significantly
reducing treatment times and visits without impairing the
occlusal outcomes.
This assumption remained unchallenged until more robust
prospective research began to emerge 4 years later.
This prospective research was initially restricted to

efficiency during a snapshot of treatment, including the
efficiency of the initial orthodontic alignment and the rate
of orthodontic space closure; however, prospective studies
encompassing Treatment in its entirety have been
published more recently.
EFFICIENCY OF ARCH
ALIGNMENT
A number of prospective studies have investigated the
efficiency of initial orthodontic alignment over periods up
to 20 weeks.
The results from these trials have consistently indicated
that despite their associated costs, self-ligating brackets
might offer no advantage with respect to treatment
efficiency (Table II).
For example, in a prospective analysis of 48 participants,

Miles compared alignment efficiency with SmartClip (3M
Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) and conventional twin brackets.
SmartClip was found to be no more effective at reducing
irregularity during the initial stage of treatment than the
conventional twin bracket ligated with elastomeric
modules or stainless steel ligatures, with slightly more
irregularity remaining after initial alignment in the group
treated with SmartClip; this was attributed to the
rotational play allowed by the passive self-ligating system
with a 0.014-in aligning nickel-titanium wire.
This study was limited by inclusion of both extraction
and nonextraction subjects and measurement of the labial
segments only.
These findings were mirrored by Scott et al22 in a

randomized controlled trial of Damon 3 (Ormco
Corporation, Orange, Calif) and a conventional appliance
in subjects treated with mandibular first premolar
extractions.
In a further clinical investigation of 58 patients, Miles
compared efficiency of alignment and patient comfort
related to Damon and a conventional twin bracket in
nonextraction subjects, using a splitmouth study design.
At 10-week and 20-week intervals, the twin bracket had
achieved an irregularity index score of 0.2 mm lower than
that achieved with the Damon 2 brackets.
Similar findings were reported by Pandis in a controlled

clinical trial involving Damon 2 and Micro-Arch
appliances (Dentsply International Inc, York, Pa), with no
significant difference overall in the time taken to align
the mandibular arch.
The authors of a further randomized controlled trial
reported little difference in alignment efficiency with an
initial aligning wire (0.016-in nickel-titanium) with
SmartClip and Victory systems (3M Unitek) in subjects
treated without extractions.
23 This study of 65 patients involved 3-dimensional
measurements and encompassed 11 mandibular
contact points.
Similarly, no difference in the rate of

alignment could be attributed to ceramic
selfligating brackets compared with
ceramic conventional brackets in a further
randomized controlled trial over 10.7
weeks
Overall, these studies involving 447
participants indicate that if any time
saving arises from use of self-ligating
brackets, it does not become apparent in
the initial alignment phase of treatment
However alleviation of dental

irregularity is difficult to measure
perfectly, most trials have failed to
control for individual metabolic
variations, confounding might occur
because of baseline imbalances, and
the results could have been
unintentionally biased by inaccurate
bracket placement.
In addition, split-mouth designs might
be criticized because of the complexity
in handling residual malalignment
between the central incisors.
Nevertheless, unless time is saved

later in treatment, on the basis of
these prospective studies it seems
unlikely that self-ligating systems
counterbalance their costs by
resulting in more efficient treatment
or better treatment outcomes.
RATES OF SPACE
CLOSURE AND CANINE
RETRACTION
Rates of space closure and canine retraction were first investigated
by Miles,27 who considered the rate of orthodontic space closure in a

splitmouth design negating the influence of metabolic variations.
No statistical difference was found between the appliance types. This
study had a relatively small sample size, with 4 of 18 subjects failing
to complete the study.
Posted archwires were used on both sides this design meant that the
rate of space closure on each side might also not have been
completely independent of the opposing side.
Nevertheless, these findings were reinforced by those of Mezomo et
al28 in a split-mouth randomized controlled trial comparing the rates
of canine retraction with either SmartClip or Gemini bracketsmon the
canines.
Again, no clinically or statistically appreciable difference in the
monthly rate of canine retraction was found; the average monthly
rate of retraction was just 0.06 mm more with the self-ligating
brackets.
These studies consistently indicate that selfligating brackets might
have little benefit with respect to treatment efficiency.
OVERALL TREATMENT
DURATION
Recently, a large retrospective study29 and
several randomized controlled trials30-32
investigating the duration of orthodontic
treatment in its entirety have been published.
The prospective studies were based in
hospital or public health care a total of 192
participants (Table III). Findings from the 3
prospective studies indicate that treatment
with selfligating brackets does not result in
shorter treatment times.
Importantly, they also included assessment of the quality

of treatment outcome achieved by using the peer
assessment rating index30,31 or the Index of Complexity
Outcome and Need (ICON) score.32 No statistical
difference in treatment outcome was observe
These studies, therefore, indicate that self-ligating
brackets are neither advantageous nor disadvantageous
in respect of treatment duration or outcome.d in any trial.
On the basis of this research, it is doubtful whethern a
fixed appliance system can have a significant bearing on
the duration of orthodontic treatment or the number of
visits required.
Moreover, the skill, experience, and objectives of the
treating clinician, in addition to the dictates of the
patient's malocclusion, are likely to override any potential
difference in treatment efficiency due to bracket type.
CONCLUSIONS
In total, 9 randomized controlled trials have been cited in this
summary. There are also 2 published systematic reviews on selfligating brackets.
It is, therefore, reasonable to assert that the question of whether
self-ligating brackets improve treatment efficiency has been
particularly well researched in the context of orthodontic evidence.
Furthermore, the consistency of the findings from these prospective
studies is remarkable, with none finding that self-ligating brackets
translate into enhanced efficiency, during either 1 phase of
treatment or overall therapy.
Therefore, despite the preliminary findings from retrospective
studies, the contention that self-ligating brackets do not improve
treatment efficiency is compelling, highlighting the divergence
between retrospective research and clinical reality.
The efficiency of a course of orthodontic treatment is based on a
complex interaction of parameters including appliance type,
compliance, biologic age, and bone remodeling, with biologic
processes as the ultimate arbiter dictating the maximum speed of
the process.
Although technological advances might sound and look alluring,

osteoclasts are less easily impressed than clinicians.
As our specialty progresses, further technological advancement
and greater intrusion from private companies with financial
backing are inevitable.
It is important that a degree of introspection occurs and that
salutary lessons are learned when appraising the benefits of new,
heavily marketed appliance systems and new philosophies. We
should not fall for the emperor's new clothes again.
REFRENCE
1. Stolzenberg J. The Russell attachment and its improved
advantages. Int J Orthod Dent Child 1935;21:837-40.
2. Turbill EA, Richmond S, Wright JL. The time-factor in
orthodontics what influences the duration of treatments in
the National Health Service practices? Community Dent Oral
Epidemiol 2001;29:62-72.
3. Richmond S, Andrews M. Orthodontic treatment standards
in Norway. Eur J Orthod 1993;15:7-15.
4. Wilcko WM, Wilcko T, Bouquot JE, Ferguson DJ. Rapid
orthodontics with alveolar reshaping: two case reports of
decrowding. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2001;21:919.
5. AcceleDent. Available at:
http://acceledent.com/images/uploads/
AcceleDent1Increases1the1Rate1of1Orthodontic1Tooth1
MovementResults1of1a1RCT1Final1for1Print1November
11412011. Accessed July 5, 2012

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Self-Ligating Brackets Do Not

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Self-ligating brackets do not

Many techniques and appliances, including surgical

In this article, we will review the evidence for many

CHAIR-SIDE EFFICIENCY AND EASE

In a meta-analysis,16 results from comparable studies

These studies were most notable for large reported

This inconsistency suggests that any advantage attributable to

This prospective research was initially restricted to

For example, in a prospective analysis of 48 participants,

These findings were mirrored by Scott et al22 in a

Similar findings were reported by Pandis in a controlled

Similarly, no difference in the rate of

However alleviation of dental

Nevertheless, unless time is saved

by Miles,27 who considered the rate of orthodontic space closure in a

Importantly, they also included assessment of the quality

Although technological advances might sound and look alluring,

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