Shear bond strength and debonding characteristics of a new premixed self-etching with a reference total-etch adhesive

BACKGROUND To determine the shear bond strength and adhesive remnant index of a new premixed self-etching primer and adhesive (Tectosan, BonaDent, Germany) for orthodontic appliances in comparison to a reference total-etch system Transbond XT. METHODS Bovine incisors were embedded in resin and randomly divided into two groups of 16 samples each. Brackets (Discovery, Dentaurum, Germany) were bonded in group 1 (total-etch-system, Transbond XT) and in group 2 (self-etch-system, Tectosan) with curing light for 40 s. Shear bonding strengths were measured after 24 h of storage in distilled water at 37 °C with a Zwicki 1120 testing machine (Zwick Roell, Germany). A force was applied on the bracket base at the wings in occluso-gingival direction. Then the adhesive remnant index (ARI) was determined. RESULTS No statistical differences on SBS were found for both bonding agents (p = 0.63). ARI scores however differed statistically significantly (p = 0.035): in the total-etch group more adhesive remained on the teeth, whereas in the self-etch group more adhesive remained on the brackets. There were no visible enamel damages in both groups. CONCLUSIONS No differences in the shear bond strength were found between both bonding agents. In our study the self-etch-system shifted the adhesive remnant index from more adhesive on the teeth to more adhesive on the bracket - as other already published self-etch systems did - with the new benefit of not increased enamel damages. Tectosan might therefore be a promising alternative to adhesive systems.