The feasibility of bonding orthodontic brackets to laser treated enamel surfaces

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to examine the possibility of treating enamel surfaces with laser irradiation, instead of acid etching, prior to the bonding of orthodontic brackets. The specific aim of this study was to compare shear bond strengths of orthodontic buttons bonded to en mel surfaces treated with a carbon dioxide (CO$\sb2$) laser vs. conventional methods, utilizing a composite resin and a resin-modified glass ionomer cement. The effects of the laser treatment on the enamel surfaces were also studied. Composite resins bonded well to laser irradiated enamel. only when relatively high fluences are used. These high fluences may have adverse effects on vital teeth. Resin-modified glass ionomer cements bonded well to laser irradiated enamel, even when low fluences were used. The CO$\sb2$ laser may enhance clinical performance of GIC instead of acid etching, potentially decreasing caries formation around brackets and without endangering tissue integrity. The shear bond strength testing resulted in a low variation of measurements and the method is proposed as a standardized test. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)