Effect of Mouthwashes on the Surface Roughness of Stainless Steel Orthodontic Brackets

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three oral mouthwashes on the surface roughness of stainless steel orthodontic brackets from two commercial brands, ORMCO and 3M Unitek.

A total of sixty upper bicuspid stainless steel brackets were used, divided equally between the two brands: 30 ORMCO brackets and 30 3M Unitek brackets. Each brand group was further subdivided into three subgroups of ten brackets, with each subgroup immersed in one of three oral rinses: water and salt solution, LISTERINE™ sodium fluoride mouthwash and OREX™ sodium fluoride mouthwash. Surface roughness was measured using an optical profilometer after 90 minutes of immersion and again after seven days, to assess the potential influence of exposure duration on surface roughness.

One-way ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences in surface roughness among most groups (p ≥ 0.05). The highest surface roughness was observed in the ORMCO brackets immersed in OREX fluoridated mouthwash for seven days (mean = 0.9169 µm). The lowest was in the 3M Unitek group immersed in the water and salt solution for 90 minutes (mean = 0.9130 µm). Although the roughness values showed a statistically significant difference, the magnitude of the difference was minimal (0.0039 µm) and considered clinically insignificant.

This study found that sodium fluoride mouthwashes resulted in slightly higher surface roughness of stainless steel orthodontic brackets compared to water and salt rinse. However, the differences are not clinically relevant and will not impact plaque accumulation or bracket function.