Evalution of enamel surface roughness after debonding with optical profilometer

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of different orthodontic adhesive removal techniques on the enamel surface in vitro using non-contact three-dimensional optical profilometry. Material and Methods:50 premolar teeth were used in the study. After the teeth were fixed in plaster molds, they were randomly selected and divided into 10 groups.37% phosphoric acid was applied to enamel surfaces of all samples for 20 seconds. Brackets which were bonded with Transbond XT adhesive were removed usinga Howe plier. Residual adhesivewas removedwith air cooling at low speed using 8, 12 and 30 flutedtungsten carbide burs, Arkansas stones and fiber re-inforced composite burs.The samples were polished for 20 seconds with PoGo micro-polishers and pumice with water.The surfacecharacteristics of all samples were evaluated by the GetPhase (PhaseView)software program using optical profilometer (PhaseView ZeeScope) before application (T0), after resin removal (T1) and final polishing (T2). The time spent to remove the resin remnants for all burs was also evaluated. Results: There were no significant differences in the surface roughness parameters amongall groups (P ≥ 0.05). There were statistically significant differences among the experimental groups (P≤ 0.01)for the time spent in removing the residual resin.The minimum time (9.05±0.58 sec) was obtained when the 12-fluted TCB was usedfor residual removal; and the maximum time (25.89±1.63 sec) was obtained when the Arkansas stone was used for resin removal. Conclusion:According to the results of this study, there is no difference between the effects of the burs on the surface roughness of the enamel,howeverthe time neededfor resin removal is different.