In vivo effects of amorphous calcium phosphate-containing orthodontic composite on enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo effects of an amorphous calcium phosphate-containing orthodontic composite in reducing enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets, and to compare it with the control.

METHODS

Fourteen orthodontic patients were divided into two equal groups. They received brackets fitted to all first premolars, bonded with either Aegis Ortho® (The Bosworth Co.), an ACP-containing orthodontic composite (experimental group), or Concise® (3M Dental Products), a resin-based orthodontic composite (control group). After 30 days, the teeth were extracted and longitudinally sectioned, and evaluated by superficial-microhardness analysis. The determinations were made at the bracket edge cementing limits and at occlusal and cervical points 100 and 200 μm away from the edge. In all of these positions, indentations were made at depths of 10, 20, 30, 50, 70, and 90 μm from the enamel surface. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post hoc test was used. The statistical significance level was set at p<0.05.

RESULTS

The ANOVA showed statistically significant differences for position, material, depth, and their interactions (p<0.001). The multiple comparison test showed that the ACP-containing orthodontic composite was significantly more efficient than the control composite, reducing enamel demineralization in almost all evaluations (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Present results indicated that ACP-containing orthodontic composite for bonding orthodontic brackets successfully inhibited demineralization in vivo. This effect was localized to the area around the brackets and was statistically significant after 30 days.