Year : 2022

Volume : Volume 13

Issue : Issue 4

Address for correspondence :
Neeraja Pitta
neerajap007@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: A fixed orthodontic therapy includes bonding of either metal or the ceramic brackets onto the tooth surface. The debonding of these attachments after the conclusion of the treatment to regain the natural surface morphology is proved to be challenging. The aim of this study is to evaluate the surface morphology of enamel after debonding of ceramic and metal brackets after polishing with two different burs, that is, aluminum oxide burs and tungsten carbide burs. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were divided into two groups. Group 1 patients treated with metal brackets and Group 2 patients treated with ceramic brackets. After the completion of the treatment, the brackets are debonded using the conventional orthodontic pliers and impressions were taken, casts were poured, and modified adhesive remnant index scores are measured on central incisors. The right side of the arch is then polished using the aluminum oxide burs and left side of the arch is polished using tungsten carbide bur and impressions were again taken and casts were poured. The surface roughness measurements are done on three sets of dental replicas of maxillary central incisors for each patient using a surface roughness tester. Three replicas from each group are again analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope for qualitative assessment of the enamel surface. Results: The mean surface roughness values with aluminum oxide burs are significantly lesser than tungsten carbide burs in both the groups. Conclusion: Aluminum oxide burs produce a smoother enamel surface than the tungsten carbide burs in both ceramic and metal brackets.

Keywords: Aluminum oxide bur, Debonding, Tungsten carbide bur.