Romanian Journal of Stomatology (Jun 2019)

Study on the degree of enamel damage according to different etching protocols used for fixed orthodontic appliances

  • Anamaria Florescu,
  • Cornelia Bîcleşanu,
  • Alexandru Burcea,
  • Ştefan Manea,
  • Andrei Angheluţă

DOI
https://doi.org/10.37897/RJS.2019.2.13
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 65, no. 2
pp. 200 – 210

Abstract

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Along with whitening techniques, fixed orthodontic appliances (FOA) is currently one of the patients' favourite manoeuvres looking for aesthetic appearance. Most of the time, FOA results are spectacular, but the appearance of demineralization and white spot lesions (WSL) around brackets is one of the great challenges for both the clinician and the So, it is important not to act to ease their appearance, by applying inappropriate enamel demineralization techniques to the FOA adhesion process. Material and method. For this study, 20 lower incisors were used, and braces were bonded in the middle third of the vestibular aspect. For the application of the brackets, the bonding protocol and the manufacturers' indications have been respected. Only the enamel etching time was modified to allow the teeth to be divided into 3 groups: the first group, the etching time was 30 seconds, for the second 45 seconds and 60 seconds respectively for the third group. The teeth were kept in distilled water for one month and then the brackets were removed. The remaining composite areas on the teeth were kept. For SEM evaluation of the enamel / hybrid layer, the teeth were longitudinally sectioned using a diamond disk under water cooling and at low speed. Results. Increasing the etching time with phosphoric acid of the enamel over 30 sec, value that gives a favourable etching pattern for adhesion, has the consequence of forming a thicker hybrid layer after application of the primer. Conclusions. Etching of the enamel for 60 seconds with phosphoric acid is followed by the formation of a thick hybrid layer and the settlement of an unfavourable etching pattern. After brackets removing, the etched enamel surfaces can be remineralized with saliva ions, but the more aggressive the etching, the more incomplete the remineralization, favouring the installation of white spot lesions.

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