Enamel abrasion from ceramic orthodontic brackets under an artificial oral environment

Anthony D. Viazis, Ralph DeLong, Richard R. Bevis, Joel D. Rudney, Maria R. Pintado

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the potential enamel abrasion on contact with stainless steel and various ceramic orthodontic brackets under a simulated oral environment. Three groups of eight lower premolar ceramic brackets and one group of eight stainless steel brackets were used from four different manufacturers. An upper premolar was brought in contact with the bracket bonded to a lower premolar tooth and subjected to a lateral excursion type of movement by the artificial oral environment. A constant load of approximately 2 lb was used for the masticatory force. The rate of chewing was 1 cycle/sec. The teeth were subjected to 15, 60, and 100 masticatory cycles. The before-and-after occlusal surfaces of the upper premolars were compared by means of a computerized profiling system and the enamel volume loss was calculated. Qualitative changes, such as rate of enamel wear, were examined visually by means of computer graphics and the scanning electron microscope. Abrasion scores (mean ± SD) in mm3 were 0.015 ± 0.01 from the metal brackets and 0.135 ± 0.103, 0.255 ± 0.242, and 0.581 ± 0.524 from the three ceramic bracket groups. The abrasion scores were significantly different at p < 0.05. Ceramic brackets caused significantly greater enamel abrasion than stainless steel brackets. Artificial mouth in vitro testing gave a good indication of clinical performance of orthodontic brackets.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)103-109
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Volume98
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1990
Externally publishedYes

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