Bracket Failure among Orthodontic Patients in Ghana

Abstract

Background: This study was carried out to investigate the most common sites of bracket failure during orthodontic treatment and the factors causing them. The effectsof gender and age were also assessed.
Method: A total of 70 patients (38 females and 32 males) with a mean age of 20.2 years undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment at the University of Ghana Dental School who had reported with bracket failures were selected to participate in this study. The number, site and date of bond failures were recorded over a period of five months. Data was captured using the SPSS 16. T-test and ANOVA were used to compare means. Chi-square was used to compare proportions.
Results: 168 orthodontic bracket failures were recorded for the period of six months. 111(66%) bracket failures occurred in the lower arch while 57(34%) occurred in the upper arch. 120(71%) failures occurred in the posterior regions while 48(29%) occurred in the anterior regions. 54%reported that eating was the cause of bracket failure. Brushing caused the highest number of mean bracket failures per patient. Thelower left second premolar recorded the highest number of failures followed by the lower right second premolar.
Conclusion: The left lower second premolar recorded the highest number of bracket failures followed by the lower right second premolar. The major cause of the bracket breakages according to the patients was eating while tooth brushing cause the highest number of mean bracket failures per patient