Objectives: Conventionally orthodontic brackets are bonded to enamel using three steps which is time consuming. The self etching and cyanoacrylate bonding systems developed to eliminate conditioning, rinsing and drying steps were compared for efficiency.
Materials and Methods: Seventy five human premolar teeth were mounted on acrylic blocks divided in to three groups(Group I, II, III) and bonded with metal brackets(surface area of 10.6 mm2 )with Transbond XT(etching); Trasnsbond SEP(self-etching) and Smart Bond( non-etching) adhesives respectively and the mean shear bond strength were compared with a Hounsfield universal testing machine. Three teeth were selected for SEM study since the sensitivity of the SEM machine(Philips ESEM XL 30)is high; only one sample from each group was employed.
Results: The multiple range test by Duncan showed that the mean shear bond strength in group1(Transbond XT) (13.9 2.1) was significantly higher than group 2(Transbond sep) (7.8 ± 2.7) and significantly higher than Group3(Cyanoacrylate ) (5.6 ±2.6{P<0.05}. The three specimens used for evaluating resin tags showed that Light cure adhesive is 100 TO 190 μm self etching adhesive is 80 TO 130μm and cyanoacrylates is 20 TO 60μm supporting the shear bond strength.
Conclusion: Self-etching adhesives have obtained clinically acceptable bond strength but in lower range and needs further clinical evaluation. While cyanoacrylates adhesives in the present form cannot be used for bonding. The conventional bonding offers excellent bond strength.