ENAMEL SURFACE ROUGHNESS FOLLOWING ORTHODONTIC BRACKET DEBONDING AND COMPOSITE RESIN REMOVAL USING TUNGSTEN CARBIDE AND ARKANSAS BURS

Scratching the enamel surface during orthodontic bracket debonding and removal
of adhesive remnants is a common concern for orthodontists. This study sought to assess the enamel
surface roughness following the use of low speed tungsten carbide (TCB) and high-speed Arkansas burs
(AB).
Materials & Methods: This in-vitro experimental study was performed on 72 first and second premolar
teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes. Labial surfaces of the teeth were etched and brackets were
bonded using light-cure composite resin. After 24 hours, orthodontic brackets were debonded by holding
them from the mesial and distal and peeling the bracket base away from the tooth using a debonding
fine cutter in order to minimize the trauma to the enamel. The teeth were then randomly divided into
two groups of 36. The composite remnants were removed using a 12-blade TCB and low speed hand
piece in group 1 and AB and high-speed hand piece in group 2. The enamel surface roughness of
specimens was evaluated under a stereomicroscope using the surface roughness index described by
Howell and Weeks. The time required for complete adhesive removal from the enamel surface was
recorded in seconds. The data were analyzed using non-parametric chi square test.
Results: In both TCB and AB groups, the enamel surface roughness significantly increased compared
to the baseline value (P=0.001 for TCB and P=0.004 for AB). No significant difference was found in
surface roughness between the two groups after the intervention (P=0.431). The time spent for complete
removal of remnants was significantly shorter with AB compared to TCB (P=0.00).
Conclusion: Considering the same level of surface roughness caused by AB and TCB and faster removal
AB, AB is recommended for composite remnant removal. However, further studies are required in this
respect