Comparative Evaluation of Fluoride Release From Chemically Cured and Light-Cured Orthodontic Bonding Agents and Surface Alteration of Enamel: An in vitro Study

Abstract

Introduction: Fluoride is known to reduce demineralization and enhance remineralization which is desirable around orthodontic brackets. Material and methods: This study was carried out to determine the rate of fluoride release, fluoride content of enamel, and surface alteration of enamel from orthodontic bonding agents. Thirty extracted maxillary first premolars were divided into 2 groups of 15 teeth each. Group A—teeth were bonded with a chemically cured orthodontic bonding agent containing fluoride (Rely-a-Bond, Reliance, Itasca) and group B—teeth were bonded with a light-cured orthodontic bonding agent containing fluoride (Light Bond Reliance, Itasca). All individual sample teeth were used to estimate fluoride release and fluoride content of enamel. The same samples were also used to evaluate enamel surface alterations. The rate of fluoride release from the above 2 orthodontic bonding agents were measured in artificial saliva on day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90. The fluoride content of the enamel was evaluated on day “0” and day “90” of bonding. The samples were also evaluated for the surface changes in enamel using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results: The results showed that (a) chemically cured and light-cured bonding agent showed a dramatic decrease in the concentration of fluoride release from day “1” to day “2,” (b) the concentration of fluoride release kept decreasing from day “1” to day “90” of measurement in both the groups, and (c) SEM of the bracket margins bonded with chemically cured bonding agent and light-cured bonding agent revealed particle depositions of irregular shape and size on day “90.” Conclusion: Light-cured bonding agent (Light Bond) released higher concentration of fluoride as compared to chemically cured bonding agent (Rely-a-Bond). Light-cured bonding agent (Light Bond) showed higher increase in fluoride content of enamel than chemically cured bonding agent (Rely-a-Bond).