Evaluation of the Tensile Bond Strength of Orthodontic Bracket Bases Using Glass Ionomer Cement as an Adhesive

Abstract

The search for an orthodontic bonding adhesive that has chemical adhesion to enamel and releases fluoride into the oral environment has led to experimentation with glass ionomer cements. This study compared the tensile bond strength of eight different orthodontic bracket base designs in vitro and assessed the amount of adhesive remaining on the bracket pad after debonding. Each bracket base design included in this study had unique characteristics warranting their inclusion. The groups contained brackets with 60, 80, and 100 gauge mesh pads; 100 gauge mesh sandblasted pads; perforated metal bases; Micro-Lock™ photo-etched bases; Dyna-Lock™ integral bracket/bases; and ceramic silane-coated bracket pads. Groups contained 20 to 22 specimens that were bonded to bovine incisor teeth embedded in a self-curing acrylic block that could be held in the testing machine. Pre-encapsulated glass ionomer cement (Ketac-Fil™) was the experimental adhesive. The adhesive was mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions in a dental amalgamator. The specimens were thermocycled between water oaths of 15°C and 55°C. The specimens spent 30 seconds in each bath for a total of 2,500 cycles and were stored in a humidor until debonding. After 14 days, the specimens were subjected to a tensile force using an Instron mechanical testing machine until failure occurred. The Micro-Loc™ photo-etched base had significantly higher mean tensile bond strength (p<0.05) than all other brackets tested. The ceramic brackets were unable to be tested due to the extremely weak bond strength which did not allow preparation of the samples for debonding. Following debonding, the percentage of adhesive remaining attached to the bracket base was determined using a grid in the ocular of a light microscope. In general, the site of bond failure involved the base/adhesive interface. The Dyna-Lock™ integral bracket/base and 80 gauge mesh base had a greater mean percent of adhesive remaining attached to the base. (Dyna-Lock™ 45 percent and 80 gauge mesh 43 percent vs. all other < 20 percent.) The results indicate that the bracket base design can influence the bond strength when GIC is used as an orthodontic adhesive and suggests that development of GIC with increased fracture toughness might increase bond strength.