An in vitro evaluation of a visible light-cured resin as an alternative to conventional resin bonding systems

An in vitro study of 69 premolars was conducted to evaluate a visible light-cured resin system used in orthodontic bonding. The material was evaluated under various parameters to determine its relative value as an alternative to the conventional chemically activated resin systems. The 30-hour bond strength for the visible light-cured resin system was approximately one half of that found for a chemically cured resin system. Initial 1-hour bond strength of the visible light-cured resin system was found to be only 26% of the 30-hour bond strength. Enamel loss associated with debonding and subsequent cleanup of the visible light-cured resin was approximately one half of that found with the chemically cured, heavily filled resin. With the visible light-cured resin system, cleanup of remaining resin required the use of hand scalers only.