RESUMEN
AIM: This study compared the effects of hydrogel and solution forms of sodium ascorbate (SA) with two different application times on bracket bond strength subsequent to bleaching. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 72 sound premolars were randomly divided into six groups (n = 12): An unbleached control group (group one) and five experimental groups of carbamide peroxide. Specimens in group two were bonded immediately after bleaching; specimens in groups three and four were bleached, then treated with SA solution for ten minutes and three hours, respectively, and then bonded. In groups five and six, SA hydrogel was used and the specimens were prepared similar to groups three and four, respectively. Following debonding, bond strengths were recorded in MPa. To evaluate the amount of resin left on the enamel surfaces, adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores were used. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The bond strength data were analyzed with ANOVA and pairwise comparisons were made by Tukey test. The ARI data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis test and two-by-two comparisons were made by the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There were significant differences in bond strengths between the groups ( P < 0.0005). However, the differences between groups three, four, five and six were not significant. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between group one and groups four and six, whereas the differences between the other groups were significant ( P < 0.05). Regarding ARI, there were significant differences among the groups ( P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Bleaching significantly decreased the bracket bond strength. Compromised bonding was reversed with a three-hour application of both forms of SA.