ABSTRACT
Friction has intrigued Orthodontists for decades. Various appliance and mechanics have been thought to reduce or enhance friction which is the reason for continuous study on the topic. Hence the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Teflon coated arch wires and ligatures on resistance to sliding during simulated canine retraction with conventional and self ligating ceramic brackets with metal slot. Total 120 samples were taken and divided into six groups and for each group [20 brackets] twenty readings were taken. Tidy's frictional test design was used to simulate canine retraction. The test was done under dry condition. To visualize the surface morphology of Teflon coated and uncoated arch wires, they were subjected to scanning electron microscopic evaluation, before and after experiment. Mean values were compared by student's t- test/one way ANOVA appropriately. Multiple range tests by Tukey - HSD [Honesty Significant Difference] analysis were employed to identify the significant groups at 1% level and comparison of least friction groups at 5% level. Teflon coated wires and ligatures produced significantly less resistance to friction than stainless steel wires and ligatures. [p=0.001]. The resistance to friction was less with a combination of conventional ceramic brackets, Teflon coated wires and Teflon coated ligatures when compared with all other groups [p=0.05]