Electrothermal debonding of ceramic brackets: an ex vivo study

The shear forces necessary to remove ceramic brackets from human premolar teeth using mechanical and electrothermal debonding techniques were compared and the post-debond enamel characteristics were evaluated. The temperature rise in the pulp cavity during electrothermal debonding was recorded. The samples were tested sequentially on a shear jig attached to an Instron Universal Testing Machine. The results indicate that removal of ceramic brackets with an electrothermal debonder requires less force than with a mechanical debonding technique. Furthermore, the associated pulp temperature rise appears to be within currently established biologically acceptable limits. However, the indices that are commonly used to define the condition of the enamel surface following debond may not be applicable to electrothermal debonding.