Influence of Primer Pre-curing and Co-curing on Shear Bond Strength of Orthodontic Brackets Using Three Light-cure Adhesive Systems: An In Vitro Study.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets with primer pre-curing and co-curing using three light cure adhesive systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in vitro study, 102 extracted premolar teeth mounted on self-cure acrylic resin blocks were separated into six groups based on primer pre-curing and co-curing with each group receiving stainless steel orthodontic premolar brackets bonded to the buccal surfaces. The following adhesives were used: Transbond XT (3M Unitek, CA, USA), Orthofix (Anabond Stedman, India), and Enlight (Ormco, India). In the groups with pre-curing, the primer was pre-cured for 20 seconds while in the groups with co-curing, the primer and adhesive were cured together. Shear bond strength tests and Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) were assessed followed by an scanning electron microscope (SEM) view (×3000) of the enamel surface after debonding. Statistical analysis was done using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. RESULTS: The descriptive statistics in the pre-cured groups showed a statistically significant difference. The highest mean SBS was observed for group I, i.e., Transbond XT with primer pre-curing (20.56 ± 3.22 MPa). The lowest mean SBS was for group IV, i.e., Orthofix with primer co-curing (7.57 + 0.49 MPa). The results of ANOVA revealed a significant difference among the groups. The ARI scoring and the SEM analysis also confirmed this finding. CONCLUSION: Shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets with primer pre-curing showed a better bond strength than brackets with co-curing. The ARI data suggested that the majority of bracket failure happened at the resin-bracket interface. Scanning electron microscope analysis also confirmed the ARI and SBS findings. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: During the bonding of orthodontic brackets, the primer can be co-cured where the primer and adhesive resin are cured simultaneously or pre-cured where the primer is cured separately. Most orthodontic clinicians to save time co-cure primer. Both these methods affect the SBS of brackets.