The use of visible light-curing composites in bonding ceramic brackets.

Three hundred and fifty bovine teeth were bonded with a ceramic bracket using nine different materials. Five of the materials were composites used in conservative dentistry, two were light-curing orthodontic adhesive test materials, and two were chemically curing adhesives. Four of the materials were modified by dilution with resin. With the proper consistency, it was found that the use of primer was not necessary. Adequate strength was observed within a 20-second curing time. No statistical difference in bond strength was observed among the materials. It is concluded that light-curing adhesives can offer several advantages in the bonding of ceramic brackets.