The Effect of an Acidic Food-Simulating Environment on the Shear Bond Strength of Self-Ligating Brackets with Different Base Designs

Abstract EN

Aim.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of acidic food simulant and (acetic acid 3%) on the shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores of one conventional and three different self-ligating brackets with different base designs.

Materials and Methods.

Freshly extracted first maxillary premolars ( n = 160 ) were embedded in resin blocks.

A conventional stainless steel bracket, Equilibrium 2, and three types of self-ligating brackets, Speed, In-Ovation R, and Damon 3MX, were bonded to teeth and exposed to distilled water (groups 1, 3, 5, and 7) or acetic acid 3% (groups 2, 4, 6, 8) for 12 weeks.

SBS and ARI were calculated and statistical analysis was performed with the analysis of variance (SBS) or χ 2 test (ARI) to compare values between the different groups.

Results.

Equilibrium 2 and In-Ovation R showed a significantly lower SBS in the acidic environment than in distilled water.

Significant differences in ARI scores were found for Equilibrium 2 after immersion in an acidic environment, shifting from 0 in distilled water to 2 in an acidic environment.

Conclusions.

Equilibrium 2 and In-Ovation R brackets showed a significant decrease in SBS after a 12-week immersion in acetic acid 3%, although all groups showed clinically acceptable SBS.

Equilibrium 2 showed significant differences in ARI scores when exposed to acetic acid 3%.