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Background: This study aimed to evaluate enamel surface roughness and microhardness following the use of different bracket materials (metal or ceramic), etchants (total- and self-etchants), and adhesive systems (precoated or flash-free). Method: A total of 99 extracted human premolars were selected for the analysis. The surface roughness was first assessed (roughness control). One specimen from each subgroup was examined using a scanning electron microscope to illustrate the surface topography. Eighty-eight teeth were prepared using total- or self-etchants and bonded to precoated or flash-free adhesive metal or ceramic brackets. The remaining 11 specimens were not bonded to brackets (microhardness controls). The brackets were debonded after immersion in distilled water for 24 h. The specimens were again scanned for surface roughness and topography imaging. Finally, the microhardness was assessed using a micro-Vickers hardness test at a force of 200 g for 10 s. Result: An overall statistically significant increase in surface roughness and reduced surface microhardness were observed in all experimental groups when compared with those in the control groups. The etchant type was the only variable found to contribute to the measured surface properties, with increased roughness and reduced microhardness introduced by total-etching compared to those by self-etching. Conclusion: Orthodontic brackets introduced a significant increase in enamel surface roughness and reduce microhardness compared with untreated enamel, regardless of the bracket material, etchant type, and adhesive system. The etchant type was the only variable contributing to these changes, with total etching having a more pronounced effect.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of topical fluoride application and diode laser-irradiation on the hardness of demineralized enamel and to evaluate the esthetic improvement of the white spot lesions (WSLs) using a visual analog scale (VAS). Materials and Methods: Artificial WSLs (3x3 mm) were created on the enamel surface of 45 human third molars. The teeth were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 15): group A, fluoride only; group B, combined therapy of fluoride and diode laser; and group C, control. Vicker’s hardness number (VHN) was measured at baseline, after demineralization and after treatment. To evaluate the esthetic improvement after treatment, 14 raters evaluated each group’s photographs using a 100-millimeter VAS. A one-way ANOVA or Brown-Forsythe and Games-Howell post hoc procedure were performed for statistical analysis. The level of significance was set at α = 0.05 for all tests. Results: Group A mean VHN was significantly higher than groups B and C, and group B was significantly higher than group C (P

Objective: To compare the enamel demineralization around the two precoated adhesive bracket systems, APC Flash-Free and APC PLUS (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA), in clinical settings. Material and method: This prospective experimental in-vivo study included 40 premolar teeth, which were planned for extraction due to orthodontic purposes. They were divided into two groups (Group A; n = 20 teeth were bonded with APC Flash Free ceramic brackets and group B; n = 20 teeth were bonded with APC Plus ceramic bracket). After four weeks, the teeth were extracted, sectioned, and examined under the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to evaluate the amount of demineralization from the enamel surface to the deepest point. Results: Findings revealed that the mean values of demineralization under SEM were significantly higher in APC Plus compared to APC Flash Free (149.95 µm vs. 112.96 µm, respectively) (P

Objectives: To (1) analyze caries-related factors and (2) evaluate caries risk using the Cariogram model for governmental and private orthodontic patients at de-bonding and 4 years after de-bonding. Materials and methods: Forty orthodontic patients with mean age of 26.4 years were recruited from a governmental (G) group (n = 20) and private (P) group (n = 20) and were examined at de-bonding (T1) and 4 years after de-bonding (T2). The examination included a questionnaire, plaque scoring, caries examination, bitewing radiographs, and assessment of salivary secretion rate, buffering capacity and cariogenic microorganisms. The data were entered into the Cariogram program to illustrate the caries risk profiles. Results: The chance to avoid new cavities was higher in P-group compared to G-group at T1 (58% and 31%, respectively) (P