Shear Bond Strengths of Plastic Brackets with a Mechanical Base

This study compares the shear bond strengths of plastic brackets with a mechanical base and metal brackets using two different adhesives, and examines the modes of failure using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Forty extracted human premolars were selected for bonding. Two types of brackets: metal and plastic-Spirit MB, and two orthodontic adhesives: System 1 + and Enlight, were used. After bonding, all samples were put into a 37°C distilled water bath for 24 hours before shear bond strengths were tested. The bond strengths of the plastic brackets were significantly lower than those of the metal brackets (P < .0001). There was a statistically significant difference in bond strengths between System 1 + and Enlight for plastic brackets (P < .05), but not for metal brackets. The modes of failure predominantly occurred at the enamel/adhesive interface in the metal bracket-System 1 + group, within the adhesive in the metal bracket-Enlight and plastic bracket-System 1 + groups, and at the bracket/adhesive interface in the plastic bracket-Enlight group.