Protótipo de ponteira acoplada aos aparelhos fotopolimerizadores para colagem de bráquetes e acessórios ortodônticos

Abstract

The porpose of the present study was the development of a new device to be coupled to light-curing units for bonding orthodontic brackets and accessories and test of its efficacy in “in vitro” mechanical trial. The inner surface of the device is mirrored and is based on physical concepts of light refraction and reflection. The main advantage of such device is the reduced clinical time needed for bonding and the lesser possibility of contamination during the process. 120 bodies of proof were used for testing the shear bond strength of brackets bonded with the device. The Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) was also determined. The sample was divided into 2 groups. In group 1 a halogen light-curing unit was used and in group 2 a led lightcuring unit was used. Each group was then subdivided. In subgroups H1 and L1, a conventional light guide rod was used. In subgroups H2 and L2 bonding was performed with the mirrored device coupled to the tip of the guide light rod. The values obtained for the shear bond strength and the ARI in the subgroups were compared. Results showed that there was no statistically significant difference for the shear strength (p>0,05) and the ARI (p>0,05) between the subgroups. Conclusions are that 1 - The tests of mechanical trials and the ARI analysis showed that the new device fulfilled the requisites for bonding orthodontic accessories; 2 - time for bonding was reduced to half, being necessary only one light exposure.