The comparison of two professional prophylaxis systems in plaque removal and debonding of orthodontic brackets.

INTRODUCTION: During orthodontic treatment, patients are expected to undergo consistent periodic prophylaxis as a result of complexities in oral hygiene. The aim of this study was to investigate, analyze, and compare the effectiveness of two professional prophylaxis systems of rubber cup polishing (RCP) and air-powder polishing (APP) in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment based on different levels of plaque and pigment on teeth and the extent of attachment of brackets after prophylaxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients were selected for this clinical trial study. A couple of months after the orthodontic treatment, the patients were placed on professional prophylaxis in terms of the plaque index. Randomized cross-arch prophylaxis (right maxilla with left mandible), RCP (left maxilla with right mandible), and APP were carried out on the patients. The main indexes in the study (number of plaque removal and debonding), the work time duration per second, and convenience of patients using visual analog scale in each of the methods were evaluated as minor factors. Data were recorded in a special checklist. RESULTS: The mean of the plaque index and the time spent on RCP were observed to be higher than APP. The average satisfaction rate of patients with RCP was higher than APP. The debonding of the bracket and the tooth was not observed in any of the methods. CONCLUSION: APP is more efficient than RCP for performing professional prophylaxis of orthodontic patients.

Effect of CPP-ACP paste with and without CO2 laser irradiation on demineralized enamel microhardness and bracket shear bond strength.

INTRODUCTION:: Many patients seeking orthodontic treatment already have incipient enamel lesions and should be placed under preventive treatments. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of CPP-ACP paste and CO2 laser irradiation on demineralized enamel microhardness and shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets. METHODS:: Eighty caries-free human premolars were subjected to a demineralization challenge using Streptococcus mutans. After demineralization, the samples were randomly divided into five equal experimental groups: Group 1 (control), the brackets were bonded without any surface treatment; Group 2, the enamel surfaces were treated with CPP-ACP paste for 4 minutes before bonding; Group 3, the teeth were irradiated with CO2 laser beams at a wavelength of 10.6 µm for 20 seconds. The samples in Groups 4 and 5 were treated with CO2 laser either before or through CPP-ACP application. SEM photomicrographs of a tooth from each group were taken to observe the enamel surface. The brackets were bonded to the buccal enamel using a conventional method. Shear bond strength of brackets and ARI scores were measured. Vickers microhardness was measured on the non-bonded enamel surface. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey test at the p< 0.05 level. RESULTS:: The mean shear bond strength and microhardness of the laser group were higher than those in the control group and this difference was statistically significant (p< 0.05). All groups showed a higher percentage of ARI score 4. CONCLUSION:: CO2 laser at a wavelength of 10.6 µm significantly increased demineralized enamel microhardness and enhanced bonding to demineralized enamel.

Effect of CPP-ACP paste with and without CO2 laser irradiation on demineralized enamel microhardness and bracket shear bond strength

ABSTRACT Introduction: Many patients seeking orthodontic treatment already have incipient enamel lesions and should be placed under preventive treatments. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of CPP-ACP paste and CO2 laser irradiation on demineralized enamel microhardness and shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets. Methods: Eighty caries-free human premolars were subjected to a demineralization challenge using Streptococcus mutans. After demineralization, the samples were randomly divided into five equal experimental groups: Group 1 (control), the brackets were bonded without any surface treatment; Group 2, the enamel surfaces were treated with CPP-ACP paste for 4 minutes before bonding; Group 3, the teeth were irradiated with CO2 laser beams at a wavelength of 10.6 µm for 20 seconds. The samples in Groups 4 and 5 were treated with CO2 laser either before or through CPP-ACP application. SEM photomicrographs of a tooth from each group were taken to observe the enamel surface. The brackets were bonded to the buccal enamel using a conventional method. Shear bond strength of brackets and ARI scores were measured. Vickers microhardness was measured on the non-bonded enamel surface. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey test at the p< 0.05 level. Results: The mean shear bond strength and microhardness of the laser group were higher than those in the control group and this difference was statistically significant (p< 0.05). All groups showed a higher percentage of ARI score 4. Conclusion: CO2 laser at a wavelength of 10.6 µm significantly increased demineralized enamel microhardness and enhanced bonding to demineralized enamel.

RESUMO Introdução: muitos pacientes, ao buscar o tratamento ortodôntico, já apresentam lesões incipientes no esmalte e precisam ser submetidos a tratamentos preventivos. O objetivo do presente estudo in vitro foi avaliar o efeito da pasta CPP-ACP e da irradiação com laser de CO2 na microdureza do esmalte desmineralizado e na resistência ao cisalhamento de braquetes ortodônticos. Métodos: oitenta pré-molares humanos hígidos foram submetidos a desmineralização usando Streptococcus mutans. Após a desmineralização, as amostras foram divididas aleatoriamente em cinco grupos experimentais: Grupo 1 (controle), os braquetes foram colados sem qualquer tratamento de superfície; Grupo 2, a superfície do esmalte foi tratada com pasta CPP-ACP por 4 minutos antes da colagem; Grupo 3, os dentes foram irradiados com laser de CO2 no comprimento de onda de 10,6 µm, por 20 segundos; Grupos 4 e 5, as amostras foram tratadas com laser de CO2 antes ou durante a aplicação de CPP-ACP. Foram feitas fotomicrografias por Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) de um dente de cada grupo, para avaliação da superfície do esmalte. Os braquetes foram colados ao esmalte na face vestibular, usando-se o método convencional. Foram medidos a resistência ao cisalhamento dos braquetes e o escore do Índice de Adesivo Remanescente (ARI). A microdureza Vickers foi medida nas superfícies do esmalte onde não foi realizada colagem. Os dados foram analisados com ANOVA e teste Tukey ao nível de p< 0,05. Resultados: a média da força de resistência ao cisalhamento e da microdureza do grupo laser foi superior à do grupo controle, com diferença estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,05). Todos os grupos apresentaram maior porcentagem do escore ARI=4. Conclusões: o laser de CO2 no comprimento de onda de 10,6 µm aumentou significativamente a microdureza do esmalte desmineralizado e melhorou a adesão dos braquetes nele.