RESUMEN
To estimate the possibility in the application of TiN ion-plating to the orthodontic appliance, this study investigated frictional force and frictional coefficient between non-ionplated and TiN ion-plated to the orthodontic appliance. The obtained results were as follows: 1. For each group, the frictional force between metal bracket and arch wire in the wet condition was exhibited lower than that in the dry condition. 2. In the dry condition, the frictional force was lowest with fourth group, and it increased in the order of the 3rd, 1st, and 2nd group. Same situation happened in the wet condition. 3. Experimental results using ceramic & plastic bracket showed that group B was lower than group A, and group D was similar to group C. 4. The surface texture after experiment showed that the scratch due to a friction with bracket was observed in an arch wire of dry contition. Also the surface of bracket was rougher than before. 5. We observed that a specimen surface processed with the TiN ion plating was smoother than that of without the TiN ion plating. 6. The surface texture of a metal bracket and an arch wire in the wet condition was observed smoother than that in the dry condition. 7. In the dry condition, the friction coefficient of each specimen was very similar to each other, but in the wet condition, the friction coefficient of specimen processed with the TiN ion plating showed lower values.