Loads applied to the supporting structures of teeth during orthodontic bracket debonding

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure, and compare, the loads applied by operators with different levels of experience during a laboratory simulation of orthodontic bracket debonding. Materials and Methods: A 2 load cell device was designed and built to simultaneously measure the 3 force and 3 moment components experienced concomitantly by a simulated bracket and a simulated tooth during debonding. Comparisons were performed using mixed-model ANOVA with a main effect for group, and a random effect for the trials by an individual. Results: Several of the load components applied by the most inexperienced group were significantly higher than those applied by the 2 more experienced groups. Conclusion: Minimal experience with LODI (Lift-Off-Debonding Instrument) seems to bestow the ability to deliver lower loads to the structures.