Orthodontic Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Orthodontic, including details on braces, retainers, treatment.

The Influence of Er:YAG Laser Conditioning versus Self-Etching Adhesives with Acid Etching on the Shear Bond Strength of Orthodontic Brackets.

Gokcelik A, Ozel Y, Ozel E, Arhun N, Attar N, Firatli S, Firatli E

Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets after acid etching, laser ablation, self-etching primer application, and combined treatments. Methods: One hundred defect-free premolars were randomly assigned to five groups. The teeth received the following treatments: group 1: phosphoric acid + Transbond XT primer; group 2: Transbond Plus Self-Etching Primer (TPSEP); group 3: Er:YAG laser ablation + Transbond XT primer; group 4: Er:YAG laser ablation + phosphoric acid + Transbond XT primer; and group 5: Er:YAG laser ablation + TPSEP. Transbond XT Adhesive Paste was used in all groups for bracket bonding. Samples were stored in deionized water at 37 degrees C for 24 h. The shear debonding test was performed at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. Failed brackets were examined by a stereomicroscope at 16 x magnification to determine the bond failure interface using a modified adhesive remnant index (ARI). SBS values were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for ARI scores and pairwise comparisons were done using the Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction. Results: Mean SBS values (MPa) and standard deviations for the groups were: group 1, 13.18 +/- 3.45; group 2, 13.52 +/- 4.38; group 3, 10.33 +/- 4.74; group 4, 13.00 +/- 3.47; and group 5, 12.46 +/- 6.31. No significant differences were observed in the SBS of all the groups evaluated, but there was a significant difference in ARI scores, with group 3 showing higher ARI scores than groups 1 and 4. Conclusions: Er:YAG laser ablation and self-etching primer application showed similar SBS values as conventional acidetching for bonding brackets.

Published 26 December 2007 in Photomed Laser Surg, 25(6): 508-12.
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