title: Influence of optical properties of esthetic brackets (color, translucence, and fluorescence) on visual perception.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aims of this study were to evaluate the optical properties of esthetic brackets and determine their influence on visual perception.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty esthetic brackets of 16 commercial brands were tested. The color and translucency of the brackets, as well as the color of the maxillary central incisors of 40 subjects, were measured with a spectrophotometer. The fluorescence of the brackets was determined by duly calibrated appraisers. The color differences between the brands of brackets and the teeth were calculated. Data were analyzed by using 1-way analysis of variance; the Scheffé multiple comparison test was used to establish the difference between brands of brackets, (α = 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The color parameters L ∗ a ∗ b ∗ of nontranslucent brackets ranged from 49.4 to 86.0, -1.6 to 3.0, and 1.9 to 14.6, respectively. The direct transmission of light ranged from 0.0% to 38.8% transmittance. No bracket showed fluorescence. The color and translucency, as well as the color difference, of the brackets were influenced by brand (P <0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The optical properties of esthetic brackets have a direct influence on visual perception; translucent brackets and the nontranslucent InVu (TP Orthodontics, LaPorte, Ind) brackets were less visually perceptible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hibernon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lopes Filho
authors.forename: Lúcio E G
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.forename: Marcus Vinicius A
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Antônio Carlos O
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ruellas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry; D003116:Color; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement / Q000737:chemistry; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D013499:Surface Properties; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D010969:Plastics; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement; C005506:polycarbonate