The Effect of MRI Exposure on the Shear Bond Strength and Adhesive Remnant Index of Different Bracket Types

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in diagnostics, but its effects on orthodontic materials remain a concern. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of MRI exposure at 1.5 T and 3 T on the shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) of different orthodontic bracket types (metal, self-ligating, and ceramic). <b>Methods</b>: A total of 90 extracted human premolars were divided into three groups (control, 1.5 T, and 3 T MRI exposure). The three bracket types were bonded using Transbond XT adhesive and subjected to standardized polymerization. MRI scans were conducted using 1.5 T and 3 T machines with clinically relevant sequences. SBS was measured using a universal testing machine, and the ARI was assessed under a stereomicroscope. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests. <b>Results</b>: MRI exposure influenced SBS and the ARI differently across bracket types. Firstly, 3 T MRI exposure significantly reduced SBS in self-ligating (<i>p</i> = 0.017) and ceramic brackets (<i>p</i> = 0.014) compared to the control, whereas metal brackets showed no significant changes. ARI scores varied across MRI conditions, with metal and self-ligating brackets showing increased adhesive retention at higher field strengths. No significant differences were observed in ARI scores for ceramic brackets across MRI conditions. <b>Conclusions</b>: The clinical importance of understanding these results is that both patients and clinicians must be aware of inevitable changes that occur in SBS during MRI, since exposure to high-field MRI, particularly 3 T, may alter bond strength and adhesive failure characteristics.