Scanning electron microscope (SEM) evaluation of clinical failures of single crystal ceramic brackets.

The objective of this work was to perform failure analysis on Starfire brackets that failed in clinical use. The failed brackets were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to obtain micrographs at magnifications of 20, 50, 100, and other magnifications, whenever necessary. With the aid of the micrographs, the fracture origin and the probable defect that initiated the fracture were identified.