Particulate production during debond of orthodontic fixed appliances
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Particulate production during orthodontic debonding of fixed appliances using ceramic Flash Free APC brackets. A laboratory investigation and clinical service evaluation.
IRAS ID
178247
Contact name
Paragh Vig
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 3 days
Research summary
Orthodontic brackets are a crucial component in fixed orthodontic brace treatment. Each tooth has a specific bracket, and within each bracket is an inbuilt specific prescription that is designed to help express an ideal angulation and inclination for each tooth when aligning and straightening teeth. The use of ceramic (tooth coloured) brackets in Orthodontics is becoming increasingly popular due to their increased aesthetics. After orthodontic brackets are bonded to teeth, they stay on up until the point treatment is complete. Research into the dust particles produced when orthodontic brackets are removed at the end of fixed appliance orthodontic treatment is limited. It is unknown for ceramic brackets the concentration of particles released when the brackets of removed from the teeth, and what the commonly occurring composition of these particles are. Conventional Clarity ceramic brackets and APC Clarity Flash free brackets are routinely used ceramic brackets systems. APC Clarity Flash free brackets are newer in design, and are thought to have an easier process of removal from teeth that requires less use of a handpiece and bur compared to the Conventional Clarity brackets.
Work based Exposure Limits (WEL's) are the published 'safe' limits for specific substances that can cause potential risks when exposure of the substance is uptake into the body through breathing, skin contact, or injection. Previous studies have suggested that the WEL’s for clinicians could be exceeded from the silica particles produced into the air during the removal of brackets and clear up of cement left on the tooth surface. This research will review both qualitatively and quantitatively the particles released during orthodontic debond of commonly used bracket systems, using metal brackets as our control.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0312
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion