RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To study and compare the effects of different demineralization-inhibition methods on the shear bond strength (SBS) and fracture mode of an adhesive used to bond orthodontic brackets to demineralized enamel surfaces. METHODS: Eighty freshly extracted, human maxillary premolars were divided into 4 equal groups and demineralized over the course of 21 days. Brackets were bonded to the demineralized enamel of teeth in Group 1. In Group 2, bonding was performed following resin infiltration (ICON(R), DMG, Hamburg, Germany). Before bonding, pre-treatment with acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) or solutions containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate with 2% neutral sodium fluoride (CPP-ACP/wF) was performed in Groups 3 and 4, respectively. The SBS values of the brackets were measured and recorded following mechanical shearing of the bracket from the tooth surface. The adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores were determined after the brackets failed. Statistical comparisons were performed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey's post-tests, and G-tests. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in some of the intergroup comparisons of the SBS values (F = 39.287, p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between the values for the APF-gel and control groups, whereas significantly higher SBS values were recorded for the resin-infiltrated and CPP-ACP/wF-treated groups. The ARI scores were also significantly different among the 4 groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Tooth surfaces exposed to resin infiltration and CPP-ACP/wF application showed higher debonding forces than the untreated, demineralized surfaces.