In vitro enamel surface roughness analysis of 4 methods for removal of remaining orthodontic adhesive after bracket debonding.

Objectives: To perform an in vitro qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the enamel surface (by scanning electronic microscopy [SEM] and measuring polishing time and roughness analysis, respectively) among four methods to remove remaining orthodontic adhesive after bracket debonding.

Materials And Methods: Forty-one human premolars were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) according to the adhesive remnant removal method and one tooth was used as control: Group 1 (G1): Enhance (Dentsply, Milford, USA); Group 2 (G2): Fiberglass (TDV, Pomerode, Brazil); Group 3 (G3): DU10CA-Ortho (Dian Fong Industrial, Shenzhen, China); Group 4 (G4): Sof-Lex Pop-On (3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany). Roughness was measured before bonding and after complete removal of the remaining adhesive (Ra2).