Cariostatic effect of a light-cured, resin-reinforced glass-ionomer for bonding orthodontic brackets in vivoA combined study using microradiography and confocal laser scanning microscopyDie kariostatische Wirkung-in vivo-eines lichthärtenden, kunststoffmodifizierten Glasionomerklebers für kieferorthopädische BracketsEine kombinierte Studie mit Mikroradiographie und konfokaler Laserrastermikroskopie

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo the cariostatic potential of the resin-reinforced glass-ionomer (Vitremer® core build-up restorative; 3M Dental Product Division) when used as a bonding agent for orthodontic brackets. The mineral distribution and topography of the enamel surface adjacent to the bracket base was determined by quantitative microradiography (TMR) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The study was designed in split-mouth technique using 9 pairs of premolars to be extracted for orthodontic reasons. One tooth of each pair was bonded with the resin-reinforced glass-ionomer, and the control contralateral premolar with the non-fluoridated composite (Concise®, 3M Dental Products Division). After 4 weeks all teeth were extracted and stored until analysis.