Effect of a self-etching primer on shear bond strength of adhesive precoated brackets in vivo

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a self-etching primer (SEP) (Transbond Plus SEP, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) on shear bond strength of adhesive uncoated and precoated Victory brackets (3M Unitek). The sample group consisted of 23 patients, with four premolars each, equally divided in four different groups. Brackets were bonded in vivo by the same operator using a split-mouth random technique: group 1, 37% phosphoric acid + primer + composite + conventional Victory bracket; group 2, 37% phosphoric acid + primer + precoated Victory bracket; group 3, SEP + composite + conventional bracket; group 4, SEP + precoated bracket. After 30 days, premolars were extracted for orthodontic reasons and a Universal Instron Machine was used to apply an occlusal shear force directly to the enamel-bracket interface at a speed of 0.5 mm/min. The groups were compared using two-way analysis of variance. Mean results and standard deviation for the groups were: group 1 = 11.60 +/- 2.65 Mpa, group 2 = 9.79 +/- 2.71 Mpa, group 3 = 10.75 +/- 2.67 Mpa, and group 4 = 10.31+/- 2.70 Mpa. No difference was observed between the conventional etching and primer or SEP (P = .948). However, significant differences in bond strength were present between the uncoated and precoated brackets (P = .032). Considering the values required to withstand normal orthodontic forces (8-9 Mpa), it could be concluded that the SEP combined with adhesive precoated brackets showed adequate shear bond strength and may be suitable for clinical use.