ENHANCING SHEAR BOND STRENGTH: IN-VITRO ASSESSMENT OF TEMPORIZATION MATERIALS FOR ORTHODONTIC BRACKETS

The increasing demand for orthodontic treatment among adults in the modern digital age has brought to light a unique set of challenges. Many adult patients require orthodontic intervention as part of their journey towards improved aesthetics and oral rehabilitation. Oftentimes, the final restoration is postponed until after orthodontic treatment, necessitating the bonding of brackets to provisional crowns for an extended period. This bonding process is notably more challenging when compared to bonding brackets to natural teeth. In this context, the provisional crowns on which brackets are affixed must exhibit superior physical and mechanical properties, with the ability to withstand occlusal and orthodontic forces. Furthermore, they should offer enhanced handling, improved aesthetics, and compatibility with oro-dental tissues. These provisional crowns can be either prefabricated or custom-made from various materials, including traditional polycarbonate and auto-polymerizing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) resins. Recent advances have introduced new materials like computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) PMMA and bis-acryl resins for provisional crown fabrication. The critical step in the orthodontic treatment process is the bonding of orthodontic brackets to these provisional crowns, as direct bonding often results in poor bond strength. This prompts the need for surface treatment methods to enhance the bond strength of these brackets