ABSTRACT
There are occasions where it is desired to increase the bond strengths of no-mix adhesives. Noncompliant patients and hypocalcified and fluorosed tooth enamel require higher bond strengths than usually obtained. It was the purpose of this investigation to study the effects of adhesion promoters to increase bond strengths. In vitro shear bond strengths that use the Instron machine (Instron Corp., Canton, Mass.) and thermocycling methods indicate the bond strengths of a no-mix adhesive bonding 80 gauge metal mesh brackets can be significantly improved through the following techniques: control (MPa 9.0), sandblasting (MPa 10.8), sandblasting and silanating (MPa 11.9), Rocatec system (MPa 10.8), Kulzer "silicoating" (MPa 13.2), and adhesion promoters--Megabond--(MPa 13.3). These adhesive promoters have been and are clinically being tested with promising results.