In vitro comparison of new generation adhesive systems in enamel conditioning with ER: YAG laser: SBS and ARI analysis

Purpose: Bond strength which is as high as that of acid etching under in vitro conditions was provided by the laser which can be used more simply with a shorter clinical time than the acid etching. The aim of this study was to compare different orthodontic adhesives with the efficacy of Er: YAG laser for enamel conditioning. The effects of these adhesives’ types (single component orthodontic adhesives and glass carbomer cement) with lasers have not been studied previously. Methods: A total of 80 specimens were etched by irradiation of Er: YAG laser with 1.2-W power at 10 Hz and divided randomly into four groups (n = 20): group 1, bonding with Transbond XT primer with Transbond XT composite; group 2, Biofix; group 3, GC ortho connect; group 4; glass carbomer cement. Metal brackets were then bonded with adhesives. Shear bond strength tests were conducted on them in a universal testing machine after 24 h of water storage. A stereomicroscope was used to calculate the adhesive remnant index (ARI). Results: The statistical analysis of the data was done. The mean and standard deviation of shear bond strength were 11.67 ± 3.22, 9.78 ± 3.68, 7.85 ± 1.90, and 5.06 ± 1.72 MPa in groups 1 to 4, respectively. According to the ARI scores, there was a main mixture of the bond failure modes in all groups. Conclusions: The optimal shear bond strength was yielded by Er: YAG lasers with the mentioned parameters, which may be used as another option for acid etching of the bracket bond to composite with single-component adhesive systems.