Authors : G Indumathi, Sridhar Premkumar, Kumar Amit
DOI : 10.18231/j.jco.2019.021
Volume : 3
Issue : 3
Year : 2019
Page No : 1-10
AIM: To assess the enamel loss after debonding of ceramic, composite plastic and stainless steel brackets and to compare them.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample used was 90 maxillary first premolars that were extracted for orthodontic purpose. The teeth were segregated as three equal groups of 30 teeth each. Group I samples were bonded using ceramic brackets (Virage) and Group II with composite plastic brackets (Silkon Plus) and Group III with stainless steel (Mini master series) brackets. Debonding of all samples were done according to manufacturers’ instructions. After debonding, the tooth surfaces were evaluated by ARI index and examined by scanning electron microscope for enamel cracks. All the bracket bases were examined under a stereomicroscopeand scored according to the Modified Adhesive Remnant Index (m ARI) followed by energy dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) analysis to detect calcium (Ca++) on the adhesive composite material on bracket base after debonding.
RESULTS: On SEM examination, the enamel surfaces of Group I sample showed more enamel cracks. EDS analysis proved that the loss of elemental calcium is more evident in tooth surface bonded with ceramic bracket.
CONCLUSION: The results indicate that after debonding procedure of ceramic bracket enamel loss is more, when compared to that of composite plastic and metal brackets.This implies that debonding of ceramic bracket needs meticulous attention.