The present study was designed to investigate the nature of friction between orthodontic wire and various ceramic brackets. The amount of tooth movement with metal and ceramic brackets was measured, and the wire surfaces were examined microscopically immediately after artificial tooth movement. The amount of tooth movement produced by the ceramic brackets was significantly less than that produced by metal bracket. The wire surfaces were scratched more obviously by ceramic brackets than by metal bracket. Slot surfaces and edges of the ceramic brackets were substantially more porous and rougher than those surfaces of the metal bracket. These material differences between metal and ceramic brackets significantly affect the efficiency of orthodontic tooth movement.