In the August 2010 American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, an article  was published entitled “Self-ligating bracket claims,” that was written by 10 orthodontic professors of various schools. Many claims have been made concerning friction, pain, expansion, stability, efficiency, hygiene, etc. “Often this information comes from marketing materials and non referenced  sources claiming that self-ligating bracket systems provide superior treatment efficiency and efficacy.”

The American Association of Orthodontists’ Council on Scientific Affairs (COSA) investigated the claims.  The professors responded to the claims based on scientific research and evidence.

The claims of (1.) reduced friction, (2.) growing buccal bone, (3.) stability after expansion, (4.) more efficient, (5.) lower clinical forces, (6.) more hygienic, were not supported by scientific studies.

In conclusion “Two of the 14 most notable assertions made in support of self-ligating bracket systems – reduced chair time and control of mandibular incisor inclination – are supported by the current evidence.   The evidence for 9 of the 14 claims regarding self-ligating bracket systems have some peer-reviewed data, but the evidence does not indicate clear differences at this time for reduced clinical forces, reduced treatment time, faster alignment, faster space closure, different arch dimensions, better alignment and occlusal outcomes, less patient pain, and more hygienic.  Three of the 14 claims in support of self-ligating bracket systems – lateral expansion of the dental arch grows buccal alveolar bone, lateral expansion of the dental arch is comparable with expansion by using RME and conventional edgewise brackets, and lateral expansion of the dental arch is stable in the long term – have no supporting peer-reviewed data at this time.”