In-vivo evaluation of the surface roughness and morphology of enamel after bracket removal and polishing by different techniques.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface roughness and morphology of enamel with a surface roughness tester and scanning electron microscopy after the removal of metal brackets and polishing.


METHODS
Ten orthodontic patients were selected for the study. At the conclusion of orthodontic treatment, their metal brackets were removed. For each patient, teeth on one side of the mouth were randomly chosen for finishing and polishing with aluminum oxide discs (n = 10). Teeth on the other side were finished with multilaminated carbide burs (n = 10). Dental replicas (before and after tooth polishing) were obtained with epoxy resin. Three surface roughness measurements were made in different directions with an angle of 120° among them, and a mean for each dental replica was calculated. The roughness data were statistically evaluated by repeated-measurements analysis of variance. Three specimens from each group were also used for scanning electron microscopy analysis.


RESULTS
After resin removal, the average roughness in the carbide bur group (0.31 μm) was significantly greater than that in the aluminum oxide disc group (0.25 μm).


CONCLUSIONS
The aluminum oxide disc polishing system resulted in less enamel roughness than did the multilaminated carbide bur system.
Assistant professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Western São Paulo, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil.
Élcio Mário
ÉM
Faria-Júnior
Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of North Paraná, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. Electronic address: rdguiraldo@gmail.com.
Ricardo Danil
RD
Guiraldo
Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of North Paraná, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
Sandrine Bittencourt
SB
Berger
Associate professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Américo Bortolazzo
AB
Correr
Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Lourenço
L
Correr-Sobrinho
Associate professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
Edwin Fernando Ruiz
EF
Contreras
Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of North Paraná, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
Murilo Baena
MB
Lopes
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental / Q000379:methods; D000268:Adhesiveness; D000293:Adolescent; D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D001840:Dental Bonding / Q000379:methods; D003738:Dental Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D017005:Dental Debonding / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D055115:Light-Curing of Dental Adhesives; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets; D010756:Phosphoric Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D016628:Replica Techniques; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D055815:Young Adult; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry
C554641:Adper single bond 2; D003188:Composite Resins; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003738:Dental Cements; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; C083568:Z100 composite resin; D013193:Stainless Steel; D002244:Carbon; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D015040:Zirconium; C030242:phosphoric acid; D000537:Aluminum Oxide