Objective: This laboratory study examined the influence of laser irradiation of enamel etching at 3 different power settings with an erbium, chromium: yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet (Er, Cr: YSGG) hydrokinetic laser system on the shear bond strength of orthodontic appliances and compared these with that of acid-etching. Materials and methods: 64 maxillary premolars, extracted premolars for orthodontic purposes were used in this study, teeth were randomly divided into four groups. In Group 1, the buccal enamel surface was etched with 37% phosphoric acid (3M ESPE), In groups 2, 3, and 4, erbium, chromium-doped: Yttrium scandium-gallium-garnet (Er, Cr: YSGG) laser was used for etching, under the following specifications: Group 2 (1.0 Watt/20 Hz, 15 s), Group 3 (1.5 Watt/20 Hz, 15 s), and Group 4 (2.0 Watt/20 Hz, 15 s). After teeth surface preparation, standard edgewise stainless steel premolar brackets were bonded; 1 tooth in each group was not bonded and was examined under a scanning electron microscopic. Bonded teeth were then stored in normal saline at 37 c for 24 hours. Teeth were then debonded using the universal testing machine, SBS and ARI index scores were measured. Result: Both the 1-Watt and 2-Watt laser irradiations showed fewer bond strengths compared with other irradiations. There was no significant difference in shear bond strength with 1.5-Watt lasing group compared to acid etching group, the evaluation of adhesive-remnant-index scores demonstrated a statistically significant difference in bond failure site among the groups. Generally, more adhesives left on the bracket surface with laser irradiation than with acid etching. Conclusion: Etching obtained with an Er, Cr: YSGG laser (operated at 1.5-Watt for 15 seconds) is comparable to that obtained with acid etch and could be a feasible alternative to acid etching