Distortion of Brackets by Conventional Debonding Technique

Abstract

Introduction: Various debonding techniques have been suggested by several investigators which claim to remove brackets from the tooth with minimum distortion. The present study has been done to compare three conventional debonding techniques using debonding pliers. Objective: To know the best method of debonding the brackets from the tooth surface with minimal distortion. Materials and methods: The present study is done in vitro on extracted teeth. Thirty standard edgewise brackets with 0.022 × 0.028 were bonded on to the teeth. Three groups were made to compare three different techniques. Occlusal side 'A' and gingival side 'B' of the wings were marked. Optical profile projector with accuracy to 0.001 mm was used to measure the slot width and interwing distance accurately. An indigenous bracket debonding plier was used in three different ways for comparison. Results: Slot width: The minimum mean decrease in slot width was 0.027 in group 3. Interwing distance on ‘A’ side: Group 1 showed significantly higher difference in interwing distance on ‘A’ side (0.061) as compared to groups 2 and 3 (0.019). Interwing distance on ‘B’ side: The minimum mean decrease in interwing distance on ‘B’ side was 0.012 with group 3. Discussion: A number of studies have been done to describe the effects of conventional debonding techniques on the tooth surface. In most of the studies, different techniques were used with different bonding materials and different bracket system. This study has been evaluated in three ways: (i) Change in slot width: The slot width got affected minimally when the brackets were deboned by holding them gingivoocclusally with archwire into the slot and rotate it gingivoocclusally; (ii) change in interwing distance on occlusal side: Bracket debonded by holding it gingivoocclusally and rotating it gingivoocclusally with or without holding archwire did not show any difference; (iii) change in interwing distance on gingival side: Brackets debonded by holding it gingivoocclusally and rotating it gingivoocclusally with or without holding archwire did not show much difference. Conclusion: The brackets can be reused after recycling (provided they do not get distorted significantly). Among conventional debonding techniques (with bracket removing plier), the best method found was to debond bracket by holding it occlusogingivally with the archwire into the slot.