Comparative bond strength of brackets cured using a pulsed xenon curing light with 2 different light-guide sizes

Light curing of composite resin material beneath orthodontic brackets is common in clinical orthodontics. Experiences with composite resins and high-intensity lights indicate some advantages to staged curing of the composite. In this study, the shear/peel bond strength of orthodontic brackets bonded to bovine enamel and cured with a pulsed xenon plasma arc light was compared with that of bonds cured with a conventional tungsten-quartz-halogen light and a nonpulsed xenon plasma arc light. The pulsed light provided less light energy than the nonpulsed lights. A small and a larger light-guide tip were used with the pulsed xenon plasma arc light. Three different orthodontic composite resin adhesives were tested with each light. The pulsed xenon plasma arc light resulted in either the same or decreased shear/peel bond strength when compared with the nonpulsed lights. There appeared to be no advantage to the use of a pulsed xenon plasma arc light in bonding orthodontic brackets. Results from using either a small or a large light-guide tip varied with the adhesive tested.