title: Surface characterization of ceramic brackets: a multitechnique approach.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the microstructure and bonding mechanisms for four types of ceramic brackets by using information from several methods. Two of the bracket types provided exclusively micromechanical retention as a bonding mechanism, with the use of microspheres or microcrystals to achieve a rough structure for the bracket base. A silane layer that provided chemical adhesion was found to cover the bases of the two other types of brackets; one type also used central regions of increased roughness to provide additional micromechanical retention. Polarized-light optical microscopy showed that the silane layer was not continuous. Small area x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis (SAXPS) of the silane layer was consistent with the presence of gamma-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane. The study of the ceramic bracket bases revealed a wide variety in composition, structure, morphologic condition, and coating treatment that implies different bonding mechanisms to orthodontic adhesives.
authors.affiliation: Section of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eliades
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lekka
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eliades
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Brantley
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry*; D001840:Dental Bonding; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization; D015394:Molecular Structure; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D010316:Particle Size; D012821:Silanes / Q000737:chemistry; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D012821:Silanes; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D000537:Aluminum Oxide