Comparison of Shear Bond Strength of Orthodontic Brackets Using Direct and Indirect Bonding Methods in Vitro and in Vivo

AIM: Aim of article was to compare the shear bond strength of indirectly and directly bonded orthodontic brackets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental in vitro study included 60 maxillary and mandibular premolars. Teeth were mounted on cold-cure acrylic blocks for each tooth separately and divided into two groups: directly bonded brackets (30 teeth) and indirectly bonded brackets (30 teeth). Brackets (Discovery, Roth 0.022”, Dentaurum, Ispringen, Germany) were bonded using Transbond XT (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) in direct method, while in indirect technique, a combination of Transbond XT and Sondhi Rapid Set (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) was used. The shear bond strength and adhesive remnant index (ARI) were evaluated. The in vivo study included 30 subjects - 15 with indirectly bonded brackets and 15 with directly bonded brackets. Survival rate was assessed during the period of 6 months. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference in the shear bond strength was found in direct (7.48±1.61 MPa) and indirect labial bonding methods (7.8.2±1.61 MPa). Both methods produced very similar amount of adhesive remnant on tooth surface (median = 1; interquartile range 1–2). There were no significant differences in bracket survival rate between methods. CONCLUSION: Regarding the shear bond strength, adhesive remnant on tooth surface, and survival rate, both indirect and direct methods of orthodontic bracket bonding seem to be equally valuable methods in clinical practice.