Bond strength of light-cure fluoride-releasing base-liners as orthodontic bracket adhesives

Fluoride-releasing bracket adhesives are desirable for their ability to minimize the potential for subsurface enamel demineralization adjacent to a bonded bracket. Self-applications with topical fluoride rinses, pastes, and gels have been documented to minimize and eliminate subsurface caries adjacent to bonded brackets. However, the success of these mediums are limited by patient compliance. A urethane with fluoride (TimeLine) and a glass ionomer with methyl methacrylate (Vitrabond), both of which are light cured and exhibit sustained fluoride ion release, were compared with a non-fluoride-releasing light-cured bracket adhesive (Transbond). Premolar brackets with mesh pads (A-Company) were positioned on the buccal surface of the premolars and placed in a PVC ring with polymethyl methacrylate. Two groups of 10 samples each of the tested material were prepared and immersed in distilled water immediately after in vitro bonding. Samples of each material were evaluated for enamel shear strength (Instron) at 24 hours and at 30 days. Bond strengths to enamel at 24 hours measured in megapascals (MPa) were 5.98 for TimeLine, 11.58 for Vitrabond, and 11.35 for Transbond. Bond strength to enamel at 30 days was found to be significantly less for TimeLine and Vitrabond: 3.05 for TimeLine, 5.39 for Vitrabond, and 10.80 for Transbond. The two fluoride-releasing, light-cured materials tested have low bond strengths after 30 days and are not acceptable as orthodontic bracket bonding agents. However, for patients with high caries risk, these materials may be placed around already bonded brackets.