Clinical performance of precoated brackets and self-etch bonding technique: a prospective comparative study.

Abstract

The aim was to compare the clinical performance of uncoated and adhesive precoated brackets bonded with either self-etching primer (SEP) or conventional two-step etch and primer method (CEM). The sample consisted of 63 patients with a mean age of 15.20 ± 1.6years. In group I (n = 15), uncoated brackets and CEM; in group II (n = 16), precoated brackets and CEM; in group III (n = 16), uncoated brackets and SEP; in group IV (n = 16), precoated brackets and SEP were used for bonding. Bonding time, bracket failure rate, and adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores were measured. The mean orthodontic treatment time was 1.13 ± 0.18years. One-way variance ANOVA was used to determine bonding time differences and the chi-square test was used to determine differences in bracket failure rates and ARI scores. The bonding time was significantly lower for Groups III and IV, when compared to Groups I and II (p < 0.001). The bond failure rates were not different between the groups. Significant difference was observed between the procedures in relation to ARI scores (p < 0.001), which were higher in group IV. Precoated brackets with SEP application significantly reduced chair time without compromising bracket failure rate. Precoated brackets with SEP application can be safely used for bonding. Regarding the mode of failure, this group can be thought as favorable with a reduced risk of enamel tear.