An ex vivo evaluation of resin-modified glass polyalkenoates and polyacid-modified composite resins as orthodontic band cements

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this ex vivo study was to assess the use of resin-modified glass polyalkenoates and polyacid-modified composite resins, as orthodontic band cements.

Materials and method: Plain stainless steel bands were cemented to 350 human extracted third molar teeth using 1 of 7 different cements. Following complete cement cure, half of each sample group was exposed to mechanical stress in a ball mill. Stressed and unstressed samples were tested in tension and the stress at which initial cement failure recorded. The mode of failure was recorded using an adhesive remnant evaluation.

Results: The mean band retention stresses offered by the cements studied ranged from 0.96 to 1.56 MPa. Fuji Ortho^TM provided the highest mean band retention stress in ‘stressed’ (1.56 MPa) and ‘unstressed’ (1.45 MPa) states. Exposure to mechanical stress did not appear to significantly influence band retention or mode of cement failure for most cements. Fuji Ortho^TM cement recorded the highest Weibull modulus for all cements tested. Virtually all samples failed at either the cement/enamel or cement band interface.

Conclusions: Significant differences in band displacement stress values and mode of failure were demonstrated between the cements studied. However, generic comparisons were difficult to make.

Keywords:

• Bands
• bond strength
• cements
• orthodontics