An investigation into the use of an anaerobic adhesive with two commercially available orthodontic brackets

Objectives The two objectives of this experiment were to determine the surface temperature of enamel following acid etching, rinsing and drying, and to see whether two commercially available orthodontic brackets could be bonded to enamel using an anaerobic adhesive. Methods Enamel surface temperature was determined in vivo using a surface temperature probe on a total of 60 patients. Stainless steel orthodontic brackets were bonded to human enamel using an anaerobic adhesive and a control orthodontic adhesive. The enamel was etched prior to bonding either with a solution of 37% o-phosphoric acid or, in the case of the anaerobic adhesive specimens, with a solution of 37% o-phosphoric acid containing copper (II) chloride. After bench curing the specimens were shear bond tested to failure and the load at debond recorded in each case. Results The bond test results were analyzed using median force to debond (N) and 95% confidence intervals, Kaplan–Meier survival probabilities and log-rank tests. Conclusions After etching rinsing and drying the enamel surface temperature ranged from 21.54 to 24.19 °C, which is within the range suitable for anaerobic adhesive use. Bond testing to failure demonstrated that bracket base design affected the measured force to debond with both the anaerobic adhesive under test and the control adhesive. In addition, the anaerobic adhesive was affected by the material composition of the bracket base and curing time. After 1 h of curing and using the Miniature Twin bracket, the measured force to debond exceeded the 10 min force to debond results of the control adhesive. Significance It is possible to bond commercially available orthodontic brackets to teeth using an anaerobic adhesive.