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Relationship between enamel etch characteristics and resin-enamel bond strength
1Newcastle Dental School, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. R.S.Hobson@ncl.ac.uk
British Dental Journal
|May 17, 2002
Summary
A strong orthodontic bracket bond does not require an ideal phosphoric acid etch pattern on tooth enamel. Study findings show varying etch patterns, with Type C being most common, yet still achieving significant bond strengths.
Area of Science:
- Dental materials science
- Orthodontic treatment
- Surface analysis
Background:
- Orthodontic bracket bonding relies on effective enamel etching.
- Phosphoric acid is commonly used to create surface irregularities for adhesion.
- The relationship between etch pattern quality and bond strength requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the correlation between phosphoric acid etch patterns on enamel and achieved bond strengths.
- To evaluate the influence of different etch patterns on orthodontic bracket adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and histometry were used to analyze enamel etch patterns on 28 patients' teeth.
- Orthodontic brackets were bonded using a light-cured adhesive.
- Bond strength testing was performed after 24 hours, with Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) recorded.
Main Results:
- Etch pattern type was not significantly influenced by the side of the mouth or arch (upper/lower).
- Type A etch (ideal prisms) was minimal (<5%), while Type C (prisms not evident) was most prevalent.
- Significant variations in bond strength were observed across different tooth types, with lower first molars exhibiting the highest bond strength (13.1 MPa).
Conclusions:
- An ideal etch pattern is not a prerequisite for achieving robust orthodontic bracket bonds.
- The quality of the etch pattern does not directly correlate with bond strength in this study.
- Clinical bonding protocols may not need to prioritize achieving a specific 'ideal' etch pattern.