Orthodontic bracket removal using conventional and ultrasonic debonding techniques, enamel loss, and time requirements.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ultrasonic orthodontic bracket removal and cleanup and compare them with conventional debonding and cleaning of the enamel surfaces with burs and polishing disks. The amount of enamel loss and time for bracket removal and clean-up were also addressed. Thirty extracted human premolars were collected. The teeth were randomly placed in one of the three debonding groups: debonding with orthodontic pliers and enamel clean-up with finishing burs and polishing disks (group 1), debonding with orthodontic pliers and ultrasonic clean-up of the enamel surface (group 2), and ultrasonic debonding enamel clean-up (group 3). The teeth were stored for 48 hours in 100% humidity before bracket removal. All brackets were then removed. Polyvinyl siloxane impressions were made before and after bracket removal. Direct measurements of the teeth in micrometers were made at all steps. An additional 30 teeth were similarly prepared, and the brackets were debonded and cleaned-up as in the three groups previously described. The total time for bracket removal and enamel clean-up for each group was recorded in seconds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)