Different lingual retainer composites and the microleakage between enamel-composite and wire-composite interfaces

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Orthodontic Adhesion
• Microleakage Assessment

Background:

• Lingual retainers are crucial for maintaining orthodontic treatment outcomes.
• Assessing the marginal integrity of bonded retainers is essential to prevent secondary caries and failure.
• Composite material selection impacts the bond strength and sealing ability of orthodontic appliances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare the microleakage at enamel-composite and wire-composite interfaces.
• To determine the efficacy of two orthodontic composites and one flowable composite in bonding retainer wires.
• To assess the influence of retainer wire presence on microleakage.

Main Methods:

• Human mandibular canine teeth were bonded with 0.36-in. stainless-steel wires using Transbond XT, Transbond LR, and Venus Flow composites.
• Specimens were sealed, stained with basic fuchsine, sectioned, and examined under a stereomicroscope for microleakage.
• Statistical analysis utilized Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests to compare microleakage scores.

Main Results:

• Minimal to no microleakage was observed across all three composite groups and both interfaces (enamel-composite and wire-composite).
• No statistically significant differences in microleakage were found among the tested composites.
• Venus Flow and Transbond LR demonstrated zero microleakage at their respective interfaces.

Conclusions:

• Bonding retainer wires with the tested orthodontic and flowable composites does not increase microleakage.
• The tested composites provide adequate marginal seal for lingual retainers in orthodontic practice.
• These findings support the routine use of Transbond XT, Transbond LR, and Venus Flow in orthodontic bonding procedures.