RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: For most orthodontic patients, esthetic concerns are as important as functional demands. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of self-etching primer and conventional acid etching on tooth color after orthodontic treatment. METHODS: A total of 34 patients were enrolled in a clinical trial and divided into 2 groups based on age: adolescents (≤17 years) and adults (>17 years). Tooth color of all maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth was measured before bonding and after debonding using a spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade Compact; Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany). Two types of etching techniques were used for orthodontic bonding, self-etching primer and conventional acid etching, in a randomized split-mouth design. Tooth color measurements were done according to the system of the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (lightness, red/green, and yellow/blue). The corresponding tooth color differences between pretreatment and posttreatment, etching groups, sexes, and age groups were calculated. RESULTS: Tooth color was significantly changed in all (L, a, b) color parameters (P <0.05). The lightness value decreased by 2.16 units, and the red/green and yellow/blue values increased by 0.32 and 1.78, respectively. The average tooth color difference after orthodontic treatment was 2.85 units. No significant difference was found between self-etching primer and conventional acid etching in their effects on tooth color (P >0.05). Men and adolescents had more color change than did girls and adults (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Fixed orthodontic appliances caused tooth color changes; self-etching primer and conventional acid etching had similar effects on tooth color; men and adolescents had greater color changes than did girls and adults.
