title: Roughness of enamel surfaces after different bonding and debonding procedures : An in vitro study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Maintaining an intact enamel surface is an essential aspect of orthodontic therapy; however, various therapeutic measures can affect this surface. The aim of our study was to evaluate roughness of the enamel surface after different conditioning and polishing procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  42 bovine incisors were submitted to conventional abrasion (using 37% phosphoric acid), to air abrasion, and a combination of the two. Brackets were put in place and then debonded, and the remaining adhesive removed with a carbide bur or via air abrasion. The enamel surface's roughness was assessed using a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean roughness (R(a)) was 33.1. There were no statistically significant differences among the six groups, or in R(q) values. Under CLSM, the roughness after polishing via air abrasion appeared even. Although it was macroscopically smoother after polishing with a carbide bur, the surface showed a wave-like pattern.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The method of enamel conditioning revealed no significant effect on the enamel surface after debonding. Neither polishing via air abrasion nor carbide bur resulted in differences in superficial roughness. However, the carbide bur left a wave-like pattern on the enamel surface.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Orthodontics and Pedodontics, Dental School, University of Basel, Switzerland. lorenz.brauchli@unibas.ch
authors.forename: Lorenz M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Brauchli
authors.forename: Eva-Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wichelhaus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D001840:Dental Bonding / Q000379:methods*; D003738:Dental Cements / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017005:Dental Debonding / Q000379:methods*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007180:Incisor / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013499:Surface Properties / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003738:Dental Cements