Enamel demineralization around metal and ceramic brackets: an in vitro study

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the degree of enamel demineralization of teeth bonded with ceramic and metal brackets. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional experimental in vitro study, 60 extracted human premolar teeth were selected according to the experimental criteria. They were divided into three groups; 20 premolar teeth in each group. Teeth in group 1 were bonded with "ceramic brackets", and teeth in group 2 were bonded with "metal brackets", while teeth in group 3 served as the "control group" without any brackets. Teeth in all groups were then immersed in demineralization media, de-bonded, sectioned into three parts (proximal 1, middle, and proximal 2), and evaluated to determine the level of enamel demineralization under a Scanning Electron Microscope. Results: On tooth level, the results show that the control group has significantly less enamel demineralization compared to the other two experimental groups, with mean values of 145.3 microm and 192.7 microm, respectively (P=0.000). The mean value of enamel demineralization in the metal group is 55.93 microm, compared to 72.55 microm in the ceramic group, which is significantly less (P