Stability of treatment with self-ligating brackets and conventional brackets in adolescents: a long-term follow-up retrospective study

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the long-term stability of treatment with self-ligating brackets compared with conventional brackets. MATERIALS AND METHODS The long-term follow-up retrospective study sample consisted of two groups of patients: group SL (including passive and interactive self ligating braces) comprised 30 subjects treated with self-ligating brackets at a mean pretreatment (T0) age of 13.56 years, with a mean follow up period for 7.24 years; group CL comprised 30 subjects treated with conventional brackets at a mean pretreatment age of 13.48 years, with a mean follow up period for 7.68 years. Relapse were evaluated by dental casts examination using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index and the Little irregularity index. The two groups were evaluated for differences in the changing of PAR and Little irregularity index using paired-t tests. Inter-observer and intra-observer reliability was assessed by means of the Pearson's correlation coefficients method. RESULTS There were no significant differences changed in PAR and the Little irregularity index between groups for the long-term follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS The study revealed that brackets type did not affect the long-term stability. Considering self-ligating brackets were expensive, given comprehensive consideration for the patients to choose suitable orthodontic bracket type was of critical importance.