Debonding of ceramic brackets by a new scanning laser method

Introduction: The purpose of this in-vitro study was to develop a new method to debond ceramic brackets by scanning with an Er: YAG laser. Methods: Sixty bovine mandibular incisors were randomly divided into 2 groups of 30. Polycrystalline ceramic brackets were placed on their labial surfaces by using the orthodontic composite adhesive Transbond XT (3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) and light cured for a total of 40 seconds. The first group was the control group, with no laser application performed. The Er: YAG laser was used on each bracket in the study group at 4.2 W for 9 seconds with the scanning method. The force required for debonding the brackets was applied 45 seconds after laser exposure. Shear bond strengths were measured in megapascals with a universal testing machine, and adhesive remnant index scores were assigned to each specimen. Results: Statistically significant (P<0.001) lower shear bond strengths were found in the laser group (9.52 MPa) compared with the control group (20.75 MPa). Likewise, the adhesive remnant index scores were statistically different (P<0.001); the laser group had twice as many samples with adhesive, with the adhesive remnant index scores of 2 or 3. Conclusions: The application of the Er: YAG laser with the scanning method is effective for debonding ceramic brackets by degrading the adhesive through thermal softening. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2010; 138: 195-200)