In-vivo evaluation of the surface roughness and morphology of enamel after bracket removal and polishing by different techniques.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface roughness and morphology of enamel with a surface roughness tester and scanning electron microscopy after the removal of metal brackets and polishing.

Methods: Ten orthodontic patients were selected for the study. At the conclusion of orthodontic treatment, their metal brackets were removed. For each patient, teeth on one side of the mouth were randomly chosen for finishing and polishing with aluminum oxide discs (n = 10). Teeth on the other side were finished with multilaminated carbide burs (n = 10). Dental replicas (before and after tooth polishing) were obtained with epoxy resin. Three surface roughness measurements were made in different directions with an angle of 120° among them, and a mean for each dental replica was calculated. The roughness data were statistically evaluated by repeated-measurements analysis of variance. Three specimens from each group were also used for scanning electron microscopy analysis.

Results: After resin removal, the average roughness in the carbide bur group (0.31 μm) was significantly greater than that in the aluminum oxide disc group (0.25 μm).

Conclusions: The aluminum oxide disc polishing system resulted in less enamel roughness than did the multilaminated carbide bur system.