Effects of CPP-ACP paste on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets

To evaluate the effect of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) paste on shear bond strength and debonding failure modes of orthodontic brackets.

Freshly extracted premolars were randomly divided into four groups (n =18) as follows: in groups 1 and 3, the enamel was treated with a solution of CPP-ACP dissolved in artificial saliva; groups 2 and 4 served as controls, and the enamel was treated with artificial saliva. After conventional acid etching, in groups 1 and 2, brackets were bonded using a light-cured bonding system (Blugloo); while in groups 3 and 4, brackets were bonded using a conventional bonding system (Unite Bonding Adhesive). Bonded specimens were subjected to thermal cycling for 1000 cycles before debonding procedures. After debonding, teeth and brackets were examined under a stereomicroscope at 10x magnification to determine whether any adhesive remained, in accordance with the adhesive remnant index. The acid-etched enamel surfaces were also observed using scanning electron microscopy after treatment with and without CPP-ACP paste.

The shear bond strengths of group 1 were significantly higher than those seen in group 2 (P < .01). There was no significant difference in the shear bond strengths of groups 3 and 4 (P > .05). Scanning electron microscopic observation showed that the pretreated enamel surface was rougher than that of the control surface after acid etching.

The use of CPP-ACP can be considered as an alternative prophylactic application in orthodontic practice since it did not compromise bracket bond strength.