An Evaluation and Comparison of Orthodontic Bracket Bond Strengths Achieved with Self-etching Primer

The bonding of orthodontic brackets to enamel is a multistep process. To simplify bonding and decrease chair time, Transbond Plus Self-Etching Primer (3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) has been introduced; the primer combines the etching, rinsing, and priming steps. This in vitro study evaluated the shear bond strengths and interoperator variability of self-etching primer, as compared with conventional phosphoric acid etching with 2 common orthodontic resins. A total of 214 teeth were bonded, according to the following protocols: group A: self-etching primer plus Transbond XT light-cured resin (3M Unitek); group B: 35% phosphoric acid (15 seconds) plus Transbond XT resin; and group C: 37% phosphoric acid (15 seconds) plus Enlight bonding resin (Ormco, Glendora, Calif). Significantly higher bond strengths were seen in group B than in group A (P =.004) and group C (P =.002). The mean shear bond strengths of group A were not significantly different from those of group C (P =.99). When 3 orthodontists bonded a total of 60 premolars using the protocols of groups A and B, significant differences in shear bond strengths and strength ranking were found. The mean values they obtained using the self-etching primer were not significantly different, but significant differences in mean values were found between operators when the phosphoric acid-etching technique was used.