445-nm diode laser-assisted debonding of self-ligating ceramic brackets.

OBJECTIVES: This study determined the influence of irradiation on aesthetic ceramic brackets with a novel 445-nm diode laser prior to debonding on the bracket failure mode.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty ceramic brackets (In-Ovation® C, GAC) were standard-bonded to the oral and buccal planed and polished enamel surfaces of 15 caries-free human 3rd molars. Prior to study-blinded debonding, the brackets in the laser group were irradiated with the diode laser (SIROLaser Blue®, Sirona), while the irradiation was simulated within the conventional group. To determine the degree of enamel fractures and the adhesive remnant index (ARI) before debonding (T0), after debonding (T1) and after removal of the remaining composite using a rotating fraise (red ring, Comet) (T2), micrographs of the enamel surface at 10-fold and 20-fold magnifications were taken. Additionally, the enamel surface was investigated using seven randomly chosen samples from each group at every time point by SEM at 200-fold and 500-fold magnifications.

RESULTS: In the laser group, the ARI-score was statistically significantly reduced (p<0.05) at 10-fold and 20-fold magnifications compared to the conventional group, while enamel fractures were not found at any magnification in either group at T1. Enamel fractures and grinding marks were increasingly found in the conventional group by SEM at T2.

CONCLUSION: Irradiation with the novel diode laser prior to debonding of ceramic brackets significantly changes bonding failure in terms of less remaining adhesive. This is of clinical importance as the risk of enamel fractures and chair time can be reduced.