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Purpose: This in vitro study aimed to analyze the force degradation of four commercial brands of orthodontic elastics chain (Morelli, Ormco, TP, and Unitek) over 21 days. Methods: The elastics chains were stretched and maintained at a standardized distance equivalent to a force of 150 g. The amount of force generated by the elastics chains were measured by using a dynamometer (ZEUZAN 300 g) at intervals of 30 minutes, 7, 14, and 21 days. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test at the 5% level of significance. Results: There was a reduction of 5% to 15% in the amount of force generated by the elastic chains after 30 minutes and of 22% to 47% after 21 days of elastic activation. Conclusion: Unitek chains displayed the highest percentage of force degradation, while TP exhibited the smallest percentage of force degradation and showed the greatest stability at all intervals tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess enamel surface under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after resin removal and enamel polishing procedures following brackets debonding, as well as compare the time required for these procedures., Methods: A total of 180 deciduous bovine incisors were used. The enamel surface of each tooth was prepared and brackets were bonded with light cured Transbond XT composite resin. Brackets were removed in a testing machine. The samples were randomized and equally distributed into nine groups according to the resin removal and polishing technique: Group 1, 30-blade tungsten carbide bur in high speed; Group 2, 30-blade tungsten carbide bur in high speed followed by a sequence of 4 Sof-lex polishing discs (3M); Group 3, 30-blade tungsten carbide bur in high speed followed by Enhance tips (Dentsply). All groups were subdivided into (a) unpolished; (b) polished with aluminum oxide paste; and (c) polished with water slurry of fine pumice. Subsequently, the enamel surface was assessed and statistical analysis was carried out., Results: There were statistically significant differences in enamel roughness and removal time among all groups. Groups 3a, 3b and 3c appeared to be the most efficient methods of removing resin with low damages to enamel. Groups 2a, 2b and 2c were the most time consuming procedures, and Group 2a caused more damages to enamel., Conclusion: The suggested protocol for resin removal is the 30-blade tungsten carbide bur in high speed followed by Enhance tips and polishing with aluminum oxide paste. This procedure seems to produce less damages and is less time consuming.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dimensions and surface characteristics of orthodontic wires and bracket slots of different commercial brands., Methods: Thirty metallic brackets (0.022 x 0.028-in and 0.022 x 0.030-in) were divided into three groups: DYN/3M group = Dyna-Lock, 3M/Unitek (stainless steel, or SS); STD/MO group = Slim Morelli (SS); and Ni-Free/MO group = Slim Morelli (Ni-Free). The stainless steel wires (0.019 x 0.025-in) were divided into two groups: MO group = Morelli; and 3M group = 3M/Unitek. The bracket and wire measurements were done by two methods: (a) Surface Electron Microscopy (SEM), and (b) Profile Projection. The surface analysis was done qualitatively, based on SEM images and/or by a rugosimeter. The quantitative results were analyzed by ANOVA with Tukey's test (p < 0.05) and Student's t test., Results: A significant difference in the dimensions of slots was observed, and the NiFree/MO group showed the greatest changes when compared to the other groups. The analysis of surface topography of the brackets indicated greater homogeneity of the metallic matrix for DYN/3M and STD/MO groups. As for the dimensions of the wires, groups showed statistically different mean heights., Conclusions: It was concluded that wires and brackets slots can present altered dimensions, which might directly and unintentionally affect the planned tooth movement.

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of two light units, a light-emitting diode (LED) and a plasma arc light (PAC), on the shear bond strength (SBS) of brackets bonded to enamel. Ninety bovine teeth were divided into six groups, according to the light-curing unit and exposure times used. In the LED (Ortholux; 3M-Unitek) group, the specimens were light cured for 5, 10, and 15 seconds. In the PAC (Apollo 95E; DenMed Technologies) group, the specimens were light cured for 3, 6, and 9 seconds. The brackets were bonded with Transbond XT (3M-Unitek), stored in distilled water at 37 °C for 24 hours and then submitted to SBS testing in a universal testing machine. The adhesive remnant index (ARI) was used to evaluate the amount of adhesive remaining on the teeth. According to analysis of variance and Tukey multiple comparisons test, the highest mean SBS was obtained with the LED at 15 seconds (16.68 MPa), which did not significantly differ from the LED 10 (14.76 MPa) or 5 (13.92 MPa) second groups (P > 0.05). The LED 10 and 5 second groups were not significantly different from the PAC 9 second group (12.66 MPa) or from the PAC 6 second group (9.96 MPa). The lowest mean SBS was obtained with the PAC 3 second group (8.29 MPa), which did not differ significantly from the PAC 6 second group. The method of light curing did not influence the ARI, with score 3 predominant. The LED at 5 seconds and the PAC at 3 seconds provided sufficient mean SBS to resist either orthodontic or masticatory forces.

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of two light units, a quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) and a light-emitting diode (LED), on the hardness and degree of conversion of an orthodontic composite resin. Sixty specimen disks were prepared from Transbond XT composite resin (3M Unitek) and light cured for 10, 20, and 30 seconds with a QTH (Curing Light XL 3000, 3M Unitek) or a LED (Ortholux, 3M Unitek) light-curing unit for 5, 10, and 15 seconds. Composite resin polymerization was evaluated by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry and Knoop hardness number (KHN). The results were statistically analysed using analysis of variance and Tukey's multiple comparisons test (alpha = 0.05). The highest KHN was obtained with the QTH at 30 (25.19 KHN) and 20 (24.01) seconds, which did not differ statistically, and in the LED 15 second (21.86) group. The QTH 10 second group (20.53) did not differ statistically from the QTH 20 second or the LED 5 (19.96) and 15, or 10 second (18.95) groups. According to FTIR, there was no statistical difference for the degree of conversion among the groups, QTH 10 (43.42 per cent), QTH 20 (46.12 per cent), QTH 30 (45.30 per cent), LED 10 (47.02 per cent), or LED 15 (47.24 per cent) seconds. The lowest degree of conversion was obtained for the LED 5 second group (38.97 per cent), which did not differ statistically from the QTH 10 second group. Light curing with the LED resulted in a reduction of 50 per cent in the time recommended for use of the QTH light with the composite resin, Transbond XT.

Objectives: To determine the influence of the light curing units on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets., Material and Methods: Seventy-two premolars were divided into six groups (n=12): Group I: brackets bonded with Transbond and polymerization with halogen light; Group II: Transbond and LED; Group III: Fuji Ortho and halogen light; Group IV: Fuji Ortho and LED; Group V: Fuji Ortho, without acid and halogen light; Group VI: Fuji Ortho, without acid and LED. The groups were tested to shear strength in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test., Results: The composite resin presented higher shear bond strength than the resin-modified glass ionomer cement (p<0.05). The halogen light and LED sources produced similar shear bond strength (p>0.05)., Conclusion: The shear bond strength was influenced by the material but not by the light-curing unit. The use of LED reduced the experimental time by approximately 60%, with the same curing efficiency.