Effects of a torsion load on the shear bond strength with different bonding techniques

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a torsional load applied after bracket bonding does not affect the shear bond strength (SBS) with different bonding techniques. Sixty human premolars were divided into two groups (experimental and control) to investigate the effects of a torsion load, and the two groups were further subdivided into three groups of 10 for the evaluation of different adhesive systems (one etch-and-rinse adhesive, Transbond XT; two self-etching primer adhesives, Transbond Plus and Beauty Ortho Bond). A torsion load (1.45 N/cm) was applied by beta-titanium wire at 15 minutes after bracket bonding in the experimental groups. All specimens were then thermocycled between 5 and 55°C for approximately 1 week (6000 cycles). The SBS for each sample was examined with a universal testing machine and the adhesive remnant index (ARI) score was calculated. Data were compared by two-way analysis of variance, Student's t-test, and a chi-square test. The SBS for Transbond XT after thermocycling with a torsion load was significantly lower than that without a torsion load. For Transbond Plus and Beauty Ortho Bond, there was no significant difference in the mean SBS between specimens thermocycled with and without a torsion load. No significant difference in the distribution of frequencies among the ARI categories was observed among the six groups, although the ARI scores for specimens with a torsion load tended to be higher than those without a torsion load. In conclusion, the SBS of the conventional etch-and-rinse adhesive system significantly decreased under a torsion load with thermocycling.