MINIMALLY INVASIVE ULTRASONIC APPROACH TO ORTHODONTIC DEBONDING: AN IN VITRO STUDY

Aim: to evaluate the experimental safety and efficacy of a newpiezoelectric tool for orthodontic clean-up after bracket removal.Methods: a total of 45 teeth removed for orthodontic reasonswere used in the present in vitro comparative study. The testtool(Treatment 1) was matched with two other procedures:One step finisher and polisher (Inverted cone One gloss ShofuDental, Kyoto, Japan) (Treatment 2) and twelve- fluted tungstencarbide bur (123-603-00, Dentaurum, Pforzheim, Germany)and Sof-Lex discs Pop-On XT Kit (3M ESPE) (Treatment 3),accounting for n:15 samples in each group. Clinical safety(enamel volume loss) and efficacy (residual adhesive volume)were measured with the use of Atos Compact Scan 3D structuredlight scanner (GOM GmbH) with the support of Atos Professional software. The enamel surfaces were scanned threetimes to evaluate: (i) residual adhesive volume (RAV) afterbracket debonding; (ii) relative residual adhesive volume (dAV)after clean-up; (iii) enamel loss volume (EVL) at the end of theprocedure.Results: the distribution of mean RAV (mm 3) and the meanEVL (mm 3) resulted asymmetrical between groups. Moreover,the data do not reveal a statistically significant difference fromnormal distribution.Conclusions: the instrument tested demonstrated to be effectiveand safe for cleaning after orthodontic treatment. Even fororthodontic treatment by means of clear aligners, the possibilityof using an ergonomic and fast instrument can benefit bothpatient and practitioner.