Enamel surface roughness following debonding resin clean up using high speed air-turbine and electric handpieces. In vitro study.

Abstract

Abstract Background: High speed electric handpieces have been recently gaining popularity in the dental industry. Advantages include smoother surface preparation and increased cutting efficiency. Aim: The primary objective was to compare the enamel surface roughness following post-debonding resin cleanup and polishing using highspeed air turbine and electric handpieces. The secondary objective was to record the time needed for resin-clean up. Method: Forty de-identified freshly extracted human premolars were cleaned and sectioned. The crowns were imbedded in acrylic blocks. Roughness parameters of the enamel surface roughness were measured using a stylus profilometer recording (Ra, Rq, Rp and Rt). Brackets were bonded using a light cure orthodontic adhesive. Following bracket debonding, the specimens were randomly divided into 2 groups. Resin clean-up was carried out using a 12-fluted carbide bur mounted on a high-speed air turbine in the first group and an electric handpiece in the second group. Following resin cleanup, the enamel surfaces were polished using pumice and a rubber cup. Surface roughness parameters were recorded following resin clean up and after polishing. Time needed for resin clean-up was recorded. Comparison of surface roughness parameters and time will be compared between groups will be carried out using repeated measures ANOVA and independent samples t-test, respectively at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The electric handpiece groups showed significantly higher values for Ra, Rz and Rp both following resin cleanup and polishing. Time taken for resin cleanup was significantly longer for the electric handpiece group. Conclusion Considering both surface roughness and time, electric handpiece do not seem to add greater effectiveness or efficiency to resin cleanup following orthodontic bracket debonding.