Metallic brackets bonded with resin-reinforced glass ionomer cements under different enamel conditions.

OBJECTIVE To assess the shear bond strength of metallic orthodontic brackets bonded with either Fuji Ortho or Ortho Glass LC resin-reinforced glass ionomer cements to enamel surfaces under different conditions, namely, enamel without etching, enamel conditioned with 37% phosphoric acid and enamel conditioned with Transbond Plus Self Etching Primer (TPSEP). MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and five bovine inferior incisors were divided into seven groups (n = 15). In group 1 (control) Transbond XT was used according to the manufacturer's recommendations. In groups 2, 3, and 4 all using Fuji Ortho LC, the brackets were bonded, respectively, to enamel nonetched, enamel etched with 37% phosphoric acid, and enamel etched with TPSEP. In groups 5, 6, and 7, the bonding was performed using Ortho Glass LC under the same enamel conditions observed in the other experimental groups. After 24 hours, shear bond strength tests were performed for all samples at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. RESULTS The results (MPa) showed no statistically significant difference between groups 1, 3, and 4 (P > .05). However, such groups were statistically superior to the others (P < .05). No statistically significant difference was observed between groups 2, 6, and 7 (P > .05). Group 5 showed the lowest shear strength value, which was also statistically inferior to the other groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Regardless of the enamel treatment, Fuji Ortho LC yielded shear strength values superior to those from Ortho Glass LC.