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This study seeks to evaluate the enamel surface characteristics of teeth after debonding of ceramic brackets with or without laser light. Eighty premolars were bonded with either of the chemically retained or the mechanically retained ceramic brackets and later debonded conventionally or through a CO(2) laser (188 W, 400 Hz). The laser was applied for 5 s with scanning movement. After debonding, the adhesive remnant index (ARI), the incidence of bracket and enamel fracture, and the lengths, frequency, and directions of enamel cracks were compared among the groups. The increase in intrapulpal temperature was measured in ten extra specimens. The data were analyzed with SPSS software. There was one case of enamel fracture in the chemical retention/conventional debonding group. When brackets were removed with pliers, incidences of bracket fracture were 45% for the chemical retention, and 15% for the mechanical retention brackets. No case of enamel or bracket fracture was seen in the laser-debonded teeth. A significant difference was observed in ARI scores among the groups. Laser debonding caused a significant decrease in the frequency of enamel cracks, compared to conventional debonding. The increase in intrapulpal temperatures was below the benchmark of 5.5 °C for all the specimens. Laser-assisted debonding of ceramic brackets could reduce the risk of enamel damage and bracket fracture, and produce the more desirable ARI scores without causing thermal damage to the pulp. However, some augmentations in the length and frequency of enamel cracks should be expected with all debonding methods.

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Bonding to porcelain remains to be a challenge in orthodontic treatments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of CO2 laser conditioning of porcelain surfaces on shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets. Eighty feldspathic porcelain specimens were divided into four groups of 20. In each group, half of the porcelain surfaces were deglazed, while the others remained glazed. The specimens in groups 1 to 3 were treated with a fractional CO2 laser for 10 s using 10 mJ of energy, frequency of 200 Hz and powers of 10 W (group 1), 15 W (group 2) and 20 W (group 3). In group 4, a 9.6 % hydrofluoric (HF) acid gel was used for 2 min. A silane coupling agent was applied before bracket bonding, and the SBS was measured with a universal testing machine after 24 h. Deglazing caused significant increase in SBS of laser treated porcelain surfaces (p < 0.05), but had no significant effect on SBS when HF acid was used for etching (p = 0.137). ANOVA revealed no significant difference in SBS values of the study groups when glazed surfaces were compared (p = 0.269). However, a significant between group difference was found among the deglazed specimens (p < 0.001). Tukey test revealed that the bond strengths of 10 W and 15 W laser groups were significantly higher than that of the HF acid group (p < 0.05). Laser conditioning with a fractional CO2 laser can be recommended as a suitable alternative to hydrofluoric acid for deglazed feldspathic porcelain.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the movement of impacted canines away from the roots of neighboring teeth before full-mouth bracket placement, performed by means of TADs to decrease undesired side effects on adjacent teeth. Methods: The study sample consisted of 34 palatally impacted canines, being 19 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group. In the experimental group, before placement of brackets, the impacted canine was erupted by means of miniscrews. In the control group, after initiation of comprehensive orthodontics, canine disimpaction was performed by means of a cantilever spring soldered to a palatal bar. At the end of treatment, volume of lateral incisors and canine root resorption were measured and compared by means of a CBCT-derived tridimensional model. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, bleeding on probing (BOP) and gingival index (GI) were recorded. Clinical success rate was also calculated. Results: The volume of root resorption of lateral teeth in the control group was significantly greater than in the experimental group (p < 0.001). At the end of treatment, VAS score, GI and BOP were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Based on our results, it seems that disimpaction of canines and moving them to the arch can be done successfully carried out with minimal side effects by means of skeletal anchorage.