Abstract
Patient demands for aesthetic orthodontic brackets (OBs) has increased since orthodontic treatments are of long duration. Clinicians encounter old composite restorations frequently, against which OBs need to be bonded. This study aims to determine the shear bond strength (SBS) of two aesthetic OBs (ceramic and resin) against aged composite resins (flowable and packable) after standard surface treatment. A total of 96 disk-shaped specimens of two aged (A) composite resins [flowable (F) and packable (P)] were divided into eight groups, using ceramic (C) and plastic (P) brackets, out of which four subgroups served as the control [non-aged (N)FC, NPC, NFR, NPR] and four as experimental [AFC, APC, AFR, APR]. Surface treatment included mechanical [air abrasion] and chemical [Assure Plus and Transbond XT]. After 24 h of storage, the specimens were tested for SBS and observed for failure mode using adhesive remnant index scores. Mean values of SBS in each subgroup were analyzed statistically using a one-way analysis of variance test and Tukey post hoc test. All probability 'p' differences were significant at a value of 0.05 and less. All aged composite resin subgroups had decreased bond strength than controls, with all subgroups bonded with plastic brackets having the least bond strengths that were clinically nonacceptable [≤7 to 10 MPa]. Flowable composites when bonded with either ceramic or plastic brackets had higher strength than packable composites. Ceramic brackets had higher SBS than plastic brackets for both flowable and packable composites. Significant differences in bond strength were observed among subgroups of plastic brackets. Ceramic brackets were associated with a higher residue of adhesives on the composite surface. Aged composite resins exhibit significantly lower SBS than fresh composites, with ceramic brackets and flowable composites producing better bond strength values than plastic brackets and packable composites.