In vitro testing of experimental and commercial bracket bonding materials

Abstract

The aims of our study were to assess the cytotoxic effect of five orthodontic bonding materials, in vitro, on HUVECs to study the induction of apoptosis and inflammatory response generated to assess the shear-bond strength of the 5 tested materials in order to quantify their performance. Standardized samples from each material were obtained and incubated with HUVEC cells for 24 and 72 h immersed in complete medium. Cell viability was determined by means of MTS method. Active caspase 3 and TNFαprotein levels were measured through ELISA techniques. The shear-bond strength was tested on 60 extracted premolars which were bonded with the same type of bracket, using the 5 different materials. Statistical analysis Student T-Tests, Chi-square and Anova tests were used for results interpretation. Cell viability was decreased with material exposure in a time dependent manner. All materials exerted cytotoxic effects, the experimental materials showed a significantly higher decrease in cell viability at the 72 h reading. Shear Bond strength was superior for the resin commercial bracket-bonding materials. The study shows that orthodontic adhesives' cytotoxicity and physical performance is related to their chemical properties and proves that all orthodontic practitioners should use freely their material of choice on condition they are aware of all its' properties.