Ceramic brackets: In search of an ideal!

Since their introduction to orthodontics in 1986, the Ceramic Brackets have become popular as esthetic appliances. The newer designs of ceramic brackets offer excellent optical properties and the promise of additional esthetic appeal without significant functional compromises. Ceramic brackets are durable, allow adequate force control over long treatment periods, and their risk for discoloration is minimal. The introduction of Ceramic brackets was a muchheralded development in the orthodontic treatment of adult patients. Their acceptance by these patients has been unprecedented in the practice of orthodontics and contributed significantly in the expansion and development of contemporary orthodontic therapeutic modalities. Apart from offering esthetics, ceramic brackets exhibit excellent biocompatibility. There has been much concern regarding the allergic and cytotoxic effects induced by constituents and the corrosion products of the stainless steel brackets. Nickel and Chromium are the most common causes of metalinduced allergic contact dermatitis in man. Nickel has recently been reported to be moderately cytotoxic. Hence the advantages offered by the Ceramic brackets namely excellent esthetics, biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, stability in the oral environment and non toxic nature has made them an integral part of the orthodontists' armamentarium.