The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the level of frictional resistance generated from three currently used ceramic brackets; 1, Crystaline $V^{(R)}$, Tomy International Inc., Tokyo, Japan; 2, $Clarity^{(R)}$, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA; 3, $Inspire^{(R)}$, Ormco, Orange, CA, USA; with composite resin brackets, Spirit, Ormco, Orange, CA, USA; and conventional stainless steel brackets, Kosaka, Tomy International Inc., Tokyo, Japan used as controls. In this experiment, the resistance to sliding was studied as a function of four angulations $(0^{\circ},\;5^{\circ},\;10^{\circ}\;and\;15^{\circ})$ using 2 different orthodontic wire alloys: stainless steel (stainless steel, SDS Ormco, Orange, CA, USA), and beta-titanium (TMA, SDS Ormco, Orange, CA, USA). After mounting the 22 mil brackets to the fixture and $.019{\times}.025$ wires ligated with elastic ligatures, the arch wires were slid through the brackets at 5mm/min in the dry state at $34^{\circ}C$. Silica-insert ceramic brackets generated a significantly lower frictional force than did other ceramic brackets, similar to that of stainless steel brackets. Beta-titanium archwires had higher frictional resistance than did stainless steel, and all the brackets showed higher static and kinetic frictional force as the angulation increased. When the angulation exceeded $5^{\circ}$, the active configuration emerged and frictional force quickly increased by 2.5 to 4.5-fold. The order of frictional force of the different wire-bracket couples transposed as the angle increased. The silica-insert ceramic bracket is a valuable alternative to conventional stainless steel brackets for patients with esthetic demands.