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Clinical Trial
. 2024 Dec;74(6):1371-1377.
doi: 10.1016/j.identj.2024.04.023. Epub 2024 May 13.

Metallic vs Ceramic Bracket Failures After 12 Months of Treatment: A Prospective Clinical Trial

Andrea Scribante  1 , Maurizio Pascadopoli  2 , Paola Gandini  3 , Riccardo Mangia  3 , Costanza Spina  3 , Maria Francesca Sfondrini  3
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Metallic vs Ceramic Bracket Failures After 12 Months of Treatment: A Prospective Clinical Trial

Andrea Scribante et al. Int Dent J. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Orthodontic treatment with fixed vestibular appliances is still widely used worldwide. When choosing the aesthetic alternative of ceramic brackets, the possibility of failure and cracking of braces should be considered. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the failure rates of ceramic and metal brackets in a 12-month clinical study.

Methods: Eighty patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment with vestibular appliances were enrolled and divided into 2 equal groups: MET for metal brackets and CER for ceramic brackets. After bonding, bracket failures were recorded for 12 months, along with the archwire placed at the time of failure. Angle's dental class, skeletal class, Wits appraisal, Little's irregularity index, overjet, overbite, age, and gender of the patients were recorded from pretreatment cephalometric tracings and study casts. The data were statistically analysed (P < .05).

Results: Significantly higher failure rates were found for ceramic brackets in the overall analysis, in the mandibular arch, and in the posterior region. Regression analysis revealed a significant influence of round nickel-titanium archwires on higher failure rates, whilst a significant influence of rectangular archwires was found on lower failure rates.

Conclusions: Ceramic brackets showed higher failure rates. Patients should be aware that orthodontic treatment with ceramic brackets may involve delays and inconvenience due to the higher failure rate compared to metal brackets.

Keywords: Ceramic brackets; Clinical trial; Failure rate; Fixed appliance; Metallic brackets; Orthodontic treatment; Survival analysis.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
CONSORT flowchart of the study showing the phases of enrolment and analysis.
Fig 2
Fig. 2
Kaplan–Meier survival curves for the 12 months of treatment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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