Micro-abrasive Blasting vs Acid Etching of Orthodontic Bracket Bases

Micro-abrasive Blasting vs Acid Etching of Orthodontic Bracket Bases: A Scanning Electron Microscope Study and an Eighteen Month Randomized Clinical Control

To describe a method of acid etching the base of a bracket, and to compare the bond failures between micro-abrasive blasted (sandblasted) brackets and acid etched brackets over an eighteen month period

The aims of this randomized control trial are:

1. To describe a method to chemically etch the bases of stainless steel orthodontic brackets.
2. To observe the changes in the micro-structure of the brackets with sandblasted bases and acid-etched bases under an electron microscope.
3. To compare the failure of orthodontic brackets with a chemical etched base versus a sandblasted base bonded with composite using the conventional acid etch technique, over a follow-up of 18 months

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients about to undergo fixed orthodontic therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with cavities, history of fixed orthodontic therapy, recent bleaching