Evaluation of the effects of the different debonding techniques on enamel cracking in ceramic brackets by using scanning electron microscopy

This study sought to assess the impact of five distinct debonding strategies on the creation and propagation of enamel microcracks during the removal of ceramic brackets adhered to bovine incisors, employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Sixty bovine incisors with unblemished labial surfaces were randomly allocated into five equal groups (n=12). Brackets were debonded utilising five distinct techniques: vertical plier installation (Group 1), mesio-distal wing compression (Group 2), mesio-distal base peeling (Group 3), incisal-cervical peeling (Group 4), and oblique base compression (Group 5). Data were examined via ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and post-hoc analyses. All debonding procedures produced substantial increases in microcrack diameters relative to baseline values (p<0.05). The oblique base compression technique (Group 5) exhibited the most significant enhancement in vertical crack propagation (mean difference: 11.25±3.42 μm), whereas the incisal-cervical peeling technique (Group 4) revealed the minimal microcrack propagation overall (mean differences: vertical 5.33±2.14 μm, horizontal 2.58±1.17 μm). The orientation of force applied during the debonding of ceramic brackets markedly affects the patterns of enamel microcrack propagation. The incisal-cervical peeling technique seems to inflict less harm on enamel integrity, whereas oblique force application leads to greater microcrack formation. These findings indicate that practitioners ought to utilise incisal-cervical directed forces during the removal of ceramic brackets to reduce the risk of enamel damage. Keywords: Ceramic brackets, debonding techniques, enamel microcracks, scanning electron microscopy, bovine incisors