Evaluation and Comparison of Various Prescription Specifications and Slot Distortion of Pre-adjusted Edgewise Brackets Manufactured by Different Companies Available in India

Objective: To assess and evaluate the tip, torque, slot size & slot distortion of maxillary central incisor, maxillary lateral incisor & maxillary canine brackets from commercially available bracket systems (Agile Mini Brackets3M series, Mini seriesAmerican Orthodontics, Mini Gem seriesDento Smile, Fine Series Brackets Galaxy Orthodontics, Centrino Mini bracketsLibral trader, Orthox Organizers) in the 0.022-inch dimension. Material & method: The sample consisted of three brackets each (maxillary central incisor, lateral incisor & canine) of all the companies the tip, torque & slot dimension of which were measured in the 0.022-inch dimension. Images were obtained using stereomicroscope & measurements were taken after operator calibration using AU|TOCAD software 2012, and a digital readout was produced. Results: Results indicated that none of the companies showed exact values of tip & torque however 3M Agile Mini series showed values nearest to normal whereas Orthox Organizers showed most inaccurate values. For slot dimension American Orthodontics Mini series showed most accurate values whereas Orthox Organizers showed most inaccurate values. All the companies showed oversized slot except Dento Smile Mini Gem series which showed undersized slot. Slot distortion was found maximum in Orthox Organizer & least in American Orthodontics Mini series. Conclusion: Inaccuracy in slot dimension, inbuilt tip and torque of the pre-adjusted brackets can affect the final position of teeth in the arch with an added need of wire bending to achieve desired results.