Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frictional forces generated by 4 types of passive stainless steel self-ligating brackets (SLBs) and by nonconventional elastomeric ligatures (NCEL) and conventional elastomeric ligatures (CEL) during sliding mechanics.
Methods: An experimental model consisting of 5 aligned stainless steel 0.022-in brackets was used to assess frictional forces produced by the SLBs, NCEL, and CEL with a 0.019 x 0.025-in stainless steel wire.
Results: Significantly smaller static and kinetic forces were generated by the SLBs and NCEL (<2 g) compared with the CEL (>500 g). No significant differences were found within the different types of SLBs, or between these and the NCEL.
Conclusions: SLBs and NCEL are valid alternatives for low friction during sliding mechanics.