Assessment of Microleakage under Stainless Steel Orthodontic Brackets Bonded with Various Adhesive Systems: An In Vitro Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of microleakage beneath stainless steel orthodontic brackets bonded with different adhesive systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Freshly extracted 60 human premolar teeth from mandibular arch were included in this study. After sterilizing all teeth, they were stored in thymol solution of 1% for further preparation. Acrylic blocks were used to mount the teeth in a way their roots were totally implanted up to the cement enamel junction in acrylic with crown being visible. A 0.022 slot, stainless steel preadjusted edgewise premolar brackets were taken. Sixty premolars were categorized randomly into three groups (20 premolars in each group) as follows: group I: flowable composite, group II: Fuji Ortho LC, group III: Transbond XT. Later, all the samples were subjected to thermocycling and tested immediately and 24 hours after water storage. The samples were submerged for 24 hours in methylene blue solution (2%) at room temperature. A ×20 magnification stereomicroscope was used to examine all samples. RESULTS: The lowest microleakage (1.34 ± 0.20) was shown by Transbond XT restored teeth, followed by flowable composite group (1.79 ± 0.32) and Fuji Ortho LC group (2.98 ± 0.13). An analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences among various adhesive systems. A statistically significant difference (p <0.05) among groups I and II, and groups II and III adhesive materials was seen. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated microleakage in all the examined adhesive groups but the lowest microleakage was found with Transbond XT group followed next by Filtek Z350 XT group and Fuji Ortho LC group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Due to microleakage, the bacteria and fluids present intraorally penetrate through the gaps along the enamel-adhesive boundary. This penetration results in significant esthetic and clinical complications. Such problems related to microleakage can be addressed with the use of an appropriate adhesive agent.

Effectiveness of Various Remineralizing Agents on White Spot Lesions after Orthodontic Treatment: A Comparative Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the ability of three commercially available remineralizing agents on the surface microhardness (SMH) of enamel after induction of white spot lesions (WSLs) by demineralization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: About 80 sound mandibular human premolars that were later removed as a part of orthodontic treatment were employed in this research under the inclusion criteria. After cleaning and disinfecting the teeth, their crowns were mounted in acrylic resin and painted with nail varnish, not including a 3 mm × 3 mm window in the middle of the buccal surface. Each tooth was soaked in 15 mL of a demineralizing solution at a pH of 4.5 that was prepared for this study and left in a place for 10 subsequent days to permit the formation of WSLs after which the SMH was again assessed. The premolar teeth were then randomly allocated and equally divided into one of the four groups of 20 each depending on the treatment they received as Group 1: control group, Group 2: Colgate sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste group, Group 3: Amflor group, and Group 4: Enafix group. After 15 days, the microhardness of all samples was estimated and alterations in the same were noted. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the surface morphology. RESULTS: Enhanced and highest mean SMH was present in the Colgate sensitive Pro-Relief group (53.26 ± 0.10) followed by Enafix group (47.72 ± 0.21), Amflor group (44.84 ± 0.66), and control group (39.52 ± 0.32), respectively after application of remineralizing agents. Except for Group 3 vs Group 4, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were noted in all the groups. CONCLUSION: All the three agents employed in this study, that is, Colgate sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste, Amflor, and Enafix improved the SMH of teeth after the therapy given over 15 days compared to the microhardness following demineralization. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: White spot lesions often occur on labial surfaces of teeth after orthodontic treatment. Hence, these lesions pose esthetic challenges thereby affecting treatment satisfaction perceived by the patient. As esthetics and appearance are of foremost significance after orthodontic treatment, elimination protocols for remineralization of WSLs are of utmost importance employing economic means. How to cite this article: Nalawade VA, Jeri SY, Dash BP, et al. Effectiveness of Various Remineralizing Agents on White Spot Lesions after Orthodontic Treatment: A Comparative Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2021;22(5):545-548.