Development and Evaluation of a New Orthodontic Ligature: Frictional Force Analysis

To evaluate and compare the friction of different ligature modes used in orthodontics, and to propose a new ligature model for conventional brackets ("H low-friction orthodontic ligature). Samples were randomly divided into seven experimental groups: (1) resin H ligature (H3D), designed by the authors of this study and produced in a 3D printer, with conventional bracket; (2) metal H ligature (HFM), with conventional bracket; (3) passive self-ligating bracket (SLP); (4) "8" low-friction unconventional elastic (LT8), with conventional bracket; (5) loose conventional metal ligature (MLS), with conventional bracket; (6) conventional metal ligature fully tightened (MLT), with conventional bracket; (7) conventional elastic ligature (CEL), with conventional bracket-control. All samples were subjected to mechanical static friction testing using the EMIC DL 2000 universal testing machine. To assess the normality requirement, the Shapiro-Wilk test was used, which showed a non-normal distribution for the means of the groups (