Effect of surface contamination on band retention

Laboratory investigations on the retention of orthodontic bands have been concerned with testing the retentive strength of different cements. This study reported here was designed to evaluate the effect of tooth-surface contamination on band retention. Zinc phosphate, silicophosphate, and polycarboxylate (powder: liquid ratio 1.5:1 and 1:1) cements were each tested on different groups of ten teeth. Preformed bands were selected, prepared, and cemented under controlled conditions. Specially designed jigs were used for cementing and for testing. For each cement, the tooth surfaces were pretreated prior to cementing as follows: (1) cleaned with pumice, (2) covered with wet saliva, (3) covered with saliva which was allowed to dry, and (4) covered with liquid paraffin. All specimens were stored in water at 37 degrees C. for 1 week prior to testing. Retention values were established by determining the tensile load required to dislodge the band divided by the surface area of the band. The retention of bands cemented with zinc phosphate and silicophosphate cements was unaffected by contamination of the enamel. The presence of dry saliva and of liquid paraffin significantly reduced the retention of bands cemented with polycarboxylate (P:L 1,5:1) (P less than 0.01). Only the presence of dry saliva reduced band retention when polycarboxylate (P:L 1:1) was used (P less than 0.05).