Adhesive pre-coated brackets, a comparative clinical study

The adhesive pre-coated bracket system along with the application of light curing for orthodontic bracket placement were compared with a conventional adhesive system, in a prospective randomized study. Of 38 consecutive patients requiring fixed orthodontic appliances, half were treated with adhesive pre-coated brackets and half with a no-mix adhesive. The timings for the clinical stages involved in bracket placement, were recorded. This also included the time and reliability of bracket identification and orientation. The peri-bracket flash distribution, time taken for clean up at the subsequent visit, the site, and number of bracket failures at the time of bracket placement and during the first 3 months, were recorded. The study showed that although the time taken to place and cure the adhesive pre-coated system was longer than for the no-mix system, this difference was not statistically significant. However, this difference in time was compensated for in the time taken for bracket orientation in the control group and subsequent clean up at the second visit. Both the bracket failure rate and peri-bracket flash scores were reduced in the adhesive pre-coated group as compared with the control and these differences were statistically significantly. Other advantages of the adhesive pre-coated system are reported.