In Vivo Effects of Amorphous Calcium Phosphate-Containing Orthodontic Composite on Enamel Demineralization around Orthodontic Brackets

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo effects of an amorphous calcium phosphate-containing orthodontic composite in reducing enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets, and to compare it with the control. Methods: Fourteen orthodontic patients were divided into two equal groups. They received brackets fitted to all first premolars, bonded with either Aegis Ortho (R) (The Bosworth Co.), an ACP-containing orthodontic composite (experimental group), or Concise (R) (3M Dental Products), a resin-based orthodontic composite (control group). After 30 days, the teeth were extracted and longitudinally sectioned, and evaluated by superficial-microhardness analysis. The determinations were made at the bracket edge cementing limits and at occlusal and cervical points 100 and 200 mu m away from the edge. In all of these positions, indentations were made at depths of 10, 20, 30, 50, 70, and 90 mu m from the enamel surface. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post hoc test was used. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: The ANOVA showed statistically significant differences for position, material, depth, and their interactions (p < 0.001). The multiple comparison test showed that the ACP-containing orthodontic composite was significantly more efficient than the control composite, reducing enamel demineralization in almost all evaluations (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Present results indicated that ACP-containing orthodontic composite for bonding orthodontic brackets successfully inhibited demineralization in vivo. This effect was localized to the area around the brackets and was statistically significant after 30 days.