A COMPARISON OF TWO DEBONDING TECHNIQUES ON METAL AND CERAMIC BRACKETS

Abstract

Aim of the study: to compare the effects on the enamel of two debonding techniques: by using debonding pliers and by using Weingart pliers, on metallic and ceramic brackets. Material and method: 112 maxillary and mandibular premolars that were previously extracted for orthodontic purposes were divided into four equal groups, then mounted in Duracrol blocks; two premolar groups were bonded with Dentaurum metal brackets and the other two with Forestadent® ceramic brackets. Transbond Plus Color Change and Transbond Plus Self-Etching Primer (3M) were used for bracket gluing. After storage for 48 hours in physiological serum at 21 degrees the samples were subjected to debonding in two manners: with bracket removal pliers for groups 1 and 3, and with Weingart pliers for groups 2 and 4. The enamel cracks resulting after debonding were examined with an optical microscope at 12× magnification. Data were statistically analyzed by using Fisher’s test for low expected values. The chosen significance level was 0.05. Results: the use of the Weingart pliers led to a higher percentage of enamel cracks during debonding (28.57% for ceramic brackets and 78.57% for metallic ones). Conclusions: it is better to use proper tools like bracket removal pliers, not other orthodontic pliers designed for orthodontic purposes. Metallic brackets are more susceptible to causing enamel cracks during debonding.

Keywords

• debonding
• ceramic brackets
• metallic brackets
• bracket removal pliers
• weingart pliers