The purpose of this study is to compare bonding time, bond survival, amount of adhesive remaining on the tooth surface after bracket debonding, and time required for adhesive remnant cleanup between a new "flash-free" and a conventional adhesive resin for orthodontic bracket bonding.
Patients presenting for comprehensive orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances at the University of Minnesota, who are willing to participate, will be included in the initial study. Selection criteria will include full permanent dentition through the first molars, teeth with sound, non-carious buccal enamel and no pretreatment with chemical agents such as hydrogen peroxide, and no previous orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. The patients will have their maxillary incisors, canines, and premolars bonded with ceramic orthodontic brackets pre-coated with a "flash-free" adhesive resin (Clarity Advanced Brackets APC flash-free, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) on one side and a conventional adhesive resin (Clarity Advanced Brackets APC II, 3M Unitek) on the other side. The side allocation and order of bonding will be randomized for each patient.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
49
APC Flash-Free Adhesive Coated Appliance System
APC II Adhesive Coated Appliance System
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Bonding Time
The time taken to bond each tooth was timed to the nearest second using a digital stopwatch. Timing was started after enamel surface preparation and stopped before light curing. Outcome reported in seconds.
Time frame: At appliance placement, 30 minutes
Bond Survival
Bond failure (yes or no) was recorded at standardized appointments at intervals of 4 weeks. Outcome is reported as the cumulative number of failed bracket bonds across all participants at 1 year post-treatment.
Time frame: 1 year post treatment
Amount of Adhesive Remaining on the Tooth Surface After Bracket Debonding
In case of a bond failure, the adhesive remnant index (ARI) was scored. The ARI is a point-based system ranking: 0, no adhesive left on the tooth; 1, less than half of the adhesive left on the tooth; 2, more than half of the adhesive left on the tooth; and 3, all adhesive left on the tooth.
Time frame: At completion of treatment, 10 minutes.
Time Required for Adhesive Remnant Cleanup
If adhesive remained after bracket de-bonding, then the time required to remove the remnant adhesive was measured using a digital stop-watch. Outcome is reported in seconds.
Time frame: At completion of treatment, 30 minutes.
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