Date of Award
Spring 1997
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Dentistry
First Advisor
Lobb, William K.
Second Advisor
Ferguson, Donald J.
Third Advisor
Kittleson, Russell T.
Abstract
A clinical goal following bracket removal is to restore the tooth's enamel surface to its original condition. Previous studies have attempted to identify methods and techniques which restore the enamel surface to its pre-treatment state. Methods employing Scanning Electron Microscopy, and profilometry techniques have been used to evaluate the enamel surface. Laser technology, utilizing the Scanning Laser Fluorometer, has been recently utilized as a technique for evaluating enamel surface characteristics. This study compared three debonding protocols using scanning laser fluorometry to evaluate the enamel surface prior to and subsequent to bracket removal. The Null Hypothesis to be tested was that there is no difference between post-debond enamel surfaces for the three debonding protocols investigated. Sixty human premolar teeth were randomly assigned to three groups of 20 teeth. Each group was assigned a specific debonding protocol. A 3mm2 "window" was defined on the buccal surface of each tooth. This area represents the Experimental Enamel Surface (EES). Using a Scanning Laser Fluorometer, pre-bonding fluorescence values for the enamel surface with this EES were determined. The teeth were prepared and an orthodontic bracket was bonded to the EES using a standard technique. The brackets were removed from each tooth and one of three debonding protocols was used to restore the enamel surface to its pre-bonded state. The teeth were rescanned with the Scanning Laser Fluorometer and post-debonding fluorescence volume values for the enamel surface were determined. Mean pre-bonding fluorescence volume values for the three groups were Group A: 0.9902±0.3086, Group B: 0.8175±0.2550, and Group C: 1.0060±0.2881. Mean post-debonding fluorescence volume values for the three groups were Group A: 3.2161±0.7780, Group B: 2.7549±0.6648, and Group C: 3.1898±0.8771. Paired t-tests were used to compare data corresponding to pre and post-debonding enamel surfaces within each group. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare data relative to post-debonding surfaces between the three groups. The results indicate that there is no statistically significant difference between the postdebonding enamel surfaces between groups "formula". Therefore, the Null Hypothesis cannot be rejected. Using laser fluorescence volume values, there is no difference in the post-debonding enamel surface resulting from the three debonding protocols.
Recommended Citation
Osterman, Seth R., "Comparison of Enamel Surface Characteristics Following Debonding Using Scanning Laser Fluorescence" (1997). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 5358.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/5358