In vivo effect of antibacterial and fluoride-releasing adhesives on enamel demineralization around brackets: A micro-CT study

Abstract

The aim of this in vivo study was to investigate the preventive effect of two different adhesives on enamel demineralization and compare these adhesives with a conventional one. Fifteen patients requiring the extraction of their first four premolars for orthodontic treatment were included in the study. One premolar was randomly selected, and an antibacterial monomer-containing and fluoride-releasing adhesive (Clearfil Protect Bond, Kuraray Medical, Okayama, Japan) was used for orthodontic bracket bonding. Another premolar was randomly selected, and a fluoride-releasing and recharging orthodontic adhesive (Opal Seal, Ultradent Products, South Jordan, Utah) was used. One premolar was assigned as a control, and a conventional adhesive (Transbond XT, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) was used. The teeth were extracted after 8 weeks, and the demineralization areas of the 45 extracted teeth were analyzed using microcomputed tomography with software. There was no significant difference between the white spot lesion (WSL) rates of the adhesives (P > .05). The volumes of the WSLs varied from 0 to 0.019349 mm3. Although Opal Seal showed the smallest lesion volumes, there was no significant difference in volumetric measurements of the lesions among the groups (P > .05). The findings indicated no significant differences between the preventive effects of the adhesives used in this in vivo study over 8 weeks.