title: Evaluation of enamel micro-cracks characteristics after removal of metal brackets in adult patients.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare enamel micro-crack characteristics of adult patients before and after removal of metal brackets. After the examination with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), 45 extracted human teeth were divided into three groups of equal size: group 1, the teeth having enamel micro-cracks, group 2, the teeth without initial enamel micro-cracks, and group 3, control group to study the effect of dehydration on existing micro-cracks or formation of new ones. For all the teeth in groups 1 and 2, the same bonding and debonding procedures of metal brackets were conducted. The length and width of the longest enamel micro-crack were measured for all the teeth before and after removal of metal brackets. The changes in the location of the micro-cracks were also evaluated. In group 3, teeth were subjected to the same analysis but not bonded. The mean overall width of micro-cracks after removal of metal brackets was 3.82 μm greater than before bonding procedure (P < 0.05). Also, a significant difference was noticed between the width of micro-cracks in first zone (cervical third) and third zone (occlusal third) after debonding procedure (P < 0.05). New enamel micro-cracks were found in 6 of 15 (40 per cent) examined teeth. Greatest changes in the width of enamel micro-cracks after debonding procedure appear in the cervical third of the tooth. On the basis of this result, the dentist must pay extra care and attention to this specific area of enamel during removal of metal brackets in adult patients.
authors: Vilnius Research Group, Polocko 21/Zvirgzdyno 1, Vilnius LT-01205, Lithuania. i.dumbryte@gmail.com
authors: Irma
authors: I
authors: Dumbryte
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Linkeviciene
authors: Mangirdas
authors: M
authors: Malinauskas
authors: Tomas
authors: T
authors: Linkevicius
authors: Vytaute
authors: V
authors: Peciuliene
authors: Kristupas
authors: K
authors: Tikuisis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001840:Dental Bonding / Q000009:adverse effects; D017005:Dental Debonding / Q000009:adverse effects; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets / Q000009:adverse effects*