A Comparative Evaluation of Space Closure Rate Between Newer Generation Ceramic Brackets and Conventional Straight Wire Appliances

Background: With the emerging concept of aesthetics in orthodontics, ceramic brackets play a major role especially in the anterior region of the dental arch. However, the duration of the orthodontic treatment is one of the most important issues in treating patients with ceramic brackets. Objectives: This study is conducted to compare space closing rate between conventional MBT and Symetri ClearTM bracket systems. Methods: This study is comprised of 18 subjects who were equally separated into two groups. The first group was treated with conventional MBT pre-adjusted bracket and the second group with Symetri ClearTM brackets. Space closure was performed via 0.019 × 0.025 inch stainless steel wires using 9-mm nickel-titanium Sentalloy coil springs with a constant force of 150 g. The distance between the distal of the first molar buccal tube and the mesial of the canine bracket was measured by a digital caliper. The difference of the first and last values was determined to assess the sheer quantity of space closure. The value was then divided by the number of months during which the space closure was carried out to examine the ratio of space closure in mm per month. For the statistical analysis we used paired t test as well as independent t test and the P-value > 0.05 was deemed significant. Results: The MBT group showed a 0.85 mm/appointment retraction rate while the Symetri ClearTM bracket group had a 0.83 mm/appointment retraction rate. The difference in space closing between MBT and Symetri ClearTM groups was not statistically and clinically significant (P-value > 0.05). Conclusions: As the rate of space closure was almost similar in the two types of brackets, we can use Symetri ClearTM brackets instead of MBT brackets without any concern about the duration of treatment and use the esthetic benefits of these brackets simultaneously.