Shear bond resistance and enamel surface comparison after the bonding and debonding of ceramic and metallic brackets

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in vitro, the shear bond strength presented by three brands of polycrystalline ceramic brackets and one brand of metallic bracket; verify the adhesive remnant index (ARI) after the tests, and analyze, through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the enamel surface topography after debonding, detecting the release of mineral particles. METHODS: Sixty bovine lower incisors were used. Three ceramic brackets (Allure(®), InVu(®), and Clarity(®)) and one metallic bracket (Geneus(®)) were bonded with Transbond XT(®). Kruskal-Wallis's test (significance level set at 5%) was applied to the results of share bond and ARI. Mann Whitney's test was performed to compare the pairs of brackets in relation to their ARI. Brown-Forsythe's test (significance level set at 5%) was applied to the results of enamel chemical composition. Comparisons between groups were made with Games-Howell's and the Post-hoc tests. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed in relation to the shear bond strength loads. Clarity(®) brackets were the most affected in relation to the surface topography and to the release of mineral particles of enamel (calcium ions). CONCLUSION: With regard to the ARI, there was a prevalence of score 4 (40.4%). As for enamel surface topography, the Geneus(®) bracket was the only one which did not show superficial tissue loss. The InVu(®) and Clarity(®) ones showed cohesive fractures in 33.3% and the Allure(®) in 50%, the latter being the one that presented most fractures during removal.