Shear Bond Strength of Orthodontic Eyelets Bonded with a Self-Adhesive Moisture-Tolerant Resin Cement Under Isolation and with Blood and Saliva Contamination

<b>Objectives:</b> Bonding of orthodontic attachments to enamel is essential in orthodontic treatment. This study aimed to assess the shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic eyelets to the enamel surface using a moisture-resistant self-adhesive resin cement under isolation in comparison with saliva and blood contamination. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This in vitro experimental study used 78 sound human premolars extracted for orthodontic purposes. Brackets were bonded to the teeth with either Transbond XT or Embrace WetBond in isolated conditions and also in presence of blood and saliva contamination. The samples were subjected to thermocycling, and then the SBS of the eyelets attached to the enamel was measured in each group. The adhesive remnant index (ARI) was also determined under a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA, Tukey's test, and Kruskal-Wallis test (alpha=0.05). <b>Results:</b> The SBS of Transbond XT group was significantly higher than Embrace WetBond group under isolation and contamination with saliva and blood (P=0.000). In both adhesives, the SBS under isolated conditions was significantly higher than that in presence of blood and saliva contamination (P=0.000). There was a significant difference between the isolation and blood and saliva contamination groups regarding the ARI scores (P<0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> Transbond XT adhesive yielded a stronger bond than WetBond Embrace in both situations; however, it appears that Embrace WetBond can also provide satisfactory results and minimize enamel damage during debonding.