Background and aims. To compare pain levels experienced during initial alignment with three different orthodontic appliance types and to correlate pain with male and female differences, if any. Methods. A prospective, randomized 3- arm parallel trial allocated 36 adult orthodontic patients into three appliance groups: MBT 0.022” slot (Mini Twin, Ormco, Glendora, USA), self ligating 0.022" slot Damon 3MX (Ormco, Glendora, USA) and clear aligners (Smile align, Mumbai, India). The level of discomfort was assessed through a questionnaire based on the visual analogue scale at four hours, twenty four hours, third and seventh day after appliance placement. Results. Patients treated with clear aligners reported less pain than patients treated with conventional and self ligating fixed appliances. Patients treated with MBT conventional appliances showed greater pain levels than Damon appliances. A significantly higher visual analogue scale score was observed at 24 hours and the least visual analogue scale scores on the seventh day post appliance placement. Conclusion. During the first week of orthodontic treatment, patients treated with clear aligners reported lower pain than those treated with conventional and self-ligating appliances.

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Objective: This study aimed to analyze the expression of torque between 2 passive self-ligating brackets by simulating different clinical situations using finite element analysis. Material and Methods: Two passive self-ligating brackets, that is, Damon Q (Ormco, Glendora, California) and Smart Clip (3M Unitek, Monrovia, California), were 3D modeled using micro-computed tomography. ANSYS V14.5 software was used for analysis. Archwire and bracket interactions were simulated to measure torque expression by changing wire alloys (stainless steel [SS] and titanium molybdenum [TMA]) and interbracket dimensions. Results: Damon Q brackets generated higher torque values compared to Smart Clip brackets with both SS and TMA wires. Damon Q brackets generated the highest torquing moment of 25.72 Nmm and 7.45 Nmm, while Smart Clip brackets generated 22.25 Nmm and 7.31 Nmm with 0.019 × 0.025″ SS and TMA wires, respectively, at an interbracket distance of 12 mm. Torquing moments decreased for Damon Q and Smart Clip brackets when wire length increased from 12 mm to 16 mm. Conclusion: Damon Q with 0.019 × 0.025″wires exhibited superior torquing characteristics as compared to Smart Clip brackets with similar archwires.