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. 2016 Jul-Aug;21(4):60-5.
doi: 10.1590/2177-6709.21.4.060-065.oar.

Cleansing orthodontic brackets with air-powder polishing: effects on frictional force and degree of debris

Brisa Dos Santos Leite  1 , Nathalia Carolina Fernandes Fagundes  2 , Mônica Lídia Castro Aragón  3 , Carmen Gilda Barroso Tavares Dias  4 , David Normando  5
Affiliations

Cleansing orthodontic brackets with air-powder polishing: effects on frictional force and degree of debris

Brisa Dos Santos Leite et al. Dental Press J Orthod. 2016 Jul-Aug.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Introduction: Debris buildup on the bracket-wire interface can influence friction. Cleansing brackets with air-powder polishing can affect this process.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frictional force and amount of debris remaining on orthodontic brackets subjected to prophylaxis with air-powder polishing.

Methods: Frictional force and debris buildup on the surface of 28 premolar brackets were evaluated after orthodontic treatment. In one hemiarch, each bracket was subjected to air-powder polishing (n = 14) for five seconds, while the contralateral hemiarch (n = 14) served as control. Mechanical friction tests were performed and images of the polished bracket surfaces and control surfaces were examined. Wilcoxon test was applied for comparative analysis between hemiarches at p < 0.05.

Results: Brackets that had been cleaned with air-powder polishing showed lower friction (median = 1.27 N) when compared to the control surfaces (median = 4.52 N) (p < 0.01). Image analysis showed that the control group exhibited greater debris buildup (median = 2.0) compared with the group that received prophylaxis with air-powder polishing (median = 0.5) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Cleansing orthodontic brackets with air-powder polishing significantly reduces debris buildup on the bracket surface while decreasing friction levels observed during sliding mechanics.

Introdução:: o acúmulo de detritos na interface braquete-arco pode influenciar no atrito, mas a limpeza dos braquetes usando jatos de bicarbonato de sódio pode interferir nesse processo.

Objetivo:: o objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a força de atrito e a quantidade de detritos remanescentes em braquetes ortodônticos submetidos à profilaxia com jatos de bicarbonato de sódio.

Material e Métodos:: avaliou-se, ao final do tratamento ortodôntico, a força de atrito e o acúmulo de detritos na superfície de 28 braquetes de pré-molares. Em uma hemiarcada, os braquetes foram jateados com bicarbonato de sódio (n = 14) por 5 segundos, enquanto a hemiarcada contralateral serviu de controle (n = 14). Foram realizados ensaios mecânicos de atrito e análise imagiológica dos braquetes de ambas as hemiarcadas, a jateada e a controle. O teste de Wilcoxon foi utilizado para a análise comparativa entre as hemiarcadas, com p < 0,05.

Resultados:: os braquetes submetidos à limpeza com jatos de bicarbonato de sódio apresentaram menor atrito (mediana = 1,27N), quando comparados aos do lado controle (mediana = 4,52N) (p < 0,01). A análise imagiológica demonstrou que o grupo controle apresentou maior acúmulo de detritos (mediana = 2,0), em comparação ao grupo que recebeu profilaxia com jatos de bicarbonato (mediana = 0,5) (p < 0,05).

Conclusão:: a limpeza dos braquetes ortodônticos por meio do jateamento com bicarbonato de sódio reduz significativamente o acúmulo de detritos na superfície deles, bem como os níveis de atrito observados durante a mecânica de deslizamento.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Intraoral view of prophylaxis by air-powder polishing at an angle of 90° relative to the bracket surface in the maxilla (A) and mandible (B).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Bracket after clinical use not subjected to prophylaxis by air-powder polishing.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Bracket after clinical use subjected to prophylaxis by air-powder polishing.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Mechanical friction test being performed: A) upper and lower plates placed at a 90° angle relative to the ground; B) the plate with the as-received bracket was connected at the upper cross-head and the plate with the bracket being tested was attached to the grip at the base.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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