A comparison of enamel loss and adhesive remnant index of metal brackets bonded with two different adhesives under dry and saliva contaminated conditions

Background and Objectives: The success of a fixed orthodontic appliance depends on attachments with adequate bond strengths and a low failure rate. During treatment, bond failures between the bracket and the tooth slow down the progress of treatment, and it can also be costly for the patient in terms of clinical time, materials, and time loss. New technologies using new materials are continually developing to increase the bond strength consistency and reduce the loss of enamel on debonding. The objective of this study is to compare the enamel loss and adhesive remnant index of debonded metal brackets bonded with two different adhesives under dry and saliva contaminated conditions. Methods: 80 human maxillary premolar teeth freshly extracted was collected and stored. Then specimen was randomly divided into certain groups and bonded accordingly with the adhesives under study. 10 samples from each group was debonded manually by using their corresponding pliers. After debonding residual adhesive on the teeth was assessed using stereomicroscope of 10x magnification. Adhesive remnant index (ARI) of the site of bond failure was calculated. The debonded bracket base was assessed by Energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy attached to high resolution scanning electron microscope to detect calcium and phosphorus. Result and Discussion: Energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy analysis showed a significantly high amount of elemental Calcium and Phosphorous on Bracepaste with hydrophilic primer under dry condition compared to Transbond XT with hydrophilic primer under dry condition. Transbond XT and Bracepaste with conventional primer under saliva contaminated condition showed less elemental Calcium and Phosphorous compared to Transbond XT and Bracepaste with hydrophilic primer under saliva contaminated condition. Conclusion: Metal brackets bonded with Transbond XT with hydrophilic primer under saliva contaminated condition have shown minimal enamel loss. Transbond XT and Bracepaste with hydrophilic primer under dry condition showed significantly high amount of elemental Calcium and Phosphorous, so avoid using hydrophilic primers on overdried enamel surface.