title: Fluoride prophylactic agents effect on ceramic bracket tie-wing fracture strength.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the hypothesis that fluoride prophylactic agents do not affect the fracture strength and fracture morphology of the tie-wing complex of ceramic brackets.
  
  
  METHODS
  The fracture strength of the distal incisal tie-wing of two polycrystalline brackets, Clarity and Mystique, and a monocrystalline bracket, Inspire, was measured after the brackets were exposed to either Prevident, Phos-flur gel, or distilled water (control). Scanning electron microscopy was used to qualitatively evaluate the tie-wing intact and fractured surfaces.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A two-way analysis of variance and Fisher-Hayter post hoc test, alpha = .05, indicated a significant decrease in tie-wing fracture strength following both fluoride treatments when compared with the distilled water control only with the monocrystalline bracket. None of the bracket brands exhibited any qualitative differences in the tie-wing intact or fracture surfaces as a function of fluoride treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The hypothesis is rejected. Based on the results, using topical fluoride agents with monocrystalline brackets might be contraindicated because of increased tie-wing fracture susceptibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, AZ School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Mesa, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Donald J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Mary P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kula
authors.forename: Karen B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: J David
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Eick
mesh_terms: D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride / Q000737:chemistry; D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry*; D003461:Crystallography; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003764:Dental Materials; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D014867:Water; D000149:Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D000537:Aluminum Oxide