ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the shear bond strengths (SBS) of orthodontic brackets bonded to enamel with a self-etching primer after bleaching, desensitizer application and combined treatment. METHODS: Forty-eight premolars were randomly divided into four groups, each with n = 12 premolar samples. The four groups were; Group1: 15% hydrogen-peroxide office bleaching agent (Illumine Office-IO), Group 2: IO + BisBlock Oxalate Dentin-Desensitizer, Group 3: Bis Block Oxalate Dentin-Desensitizer, Group 4: No treatment (control). Twenty-four hours after bonding, the specimens were tested in SBS at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min until the brackets debonded. The failure mode of the brackets was determined by a modified adhesive remnant index. RESULTS: Bleaching, bleaching and desensitizer treatment, and desensitizer treatment alone all significantly reduced SBS of the orthodontic brackets (p = 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 (Group 1-Group 2, p = 0.564; Group 1-Group 3, p = 0.371; Group 2-Group 3, p = 0.133). The predominant mode of failure for the treatment groups (Group1, Group 2 and Group 3) was at the enamel-adhesive interface leaving 100% of the adhesive on the bracket base. CONCLUSIONS: Bleaching and desensitizer treatment should be delayed until the completion of orthodontic treatment.