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Laser etching of enamel for direct bonding
J A von Fraunhofer1, D J Allen, G M Orbell
1Department of Biological and Biophysical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Louisville, KY 40292.
The Angle Orthodontist
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Laser etching of dental enamel for orthodontic bonding shows promise. Acceptable bond strength was achieved at 1-3W, but lower settings yielded weaker bonds compared to traditional acid etching.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials
- Dental Materials Science
- Laser Dentistry
Background:
- Direct bonding of orthodontic appliances to dental enamel is crucial for effective treatment.
- Traditional acid etching is the standard method for enamel preparation.
- Laser irradiation offers a potential alternative for enamel etching.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of laser irradiation in preparing dental enamel for orthodontic bracket bonding.
- To compare the shear bond strength of brackets bonded to laser-etched enamel versus acid-etched enamel.
Main Methods:
- Forty extracted human teeth were divided into four groups.
- Enamel surfaces were etched using either a 30-second acid etch or laser irradiation at varying power settings (80mJ, 1W, 2W, 3W).
- Orthodontic brackets were bonded using composite resin, and shear bond strength was tested after 7 days.
Main Results:
- Acceptable shear bond strength (≥ 0.6 kg/mm) was achieved with laser settings of 1W, 2W, and 3W.
- The lowest laser setting (80mJ) did not yield acceptable bond strength.
- Mean shear bond strengths at 80mJ, 1W, and 2W were significantly lower (p < 0.01 or 0.001) than those achieved with acid etching.
Conclusions:
- Laser etching of dental enamel is a viable method for orthodontic appliance bonding at power settings of 1-3W.
- Further optimization of laser parameters may be needed to match or exceed the bond strength of acid etching.
- Laser etching presents a potential alternative to acid etching for enamel preparation in orthodontics.