Comparison of the shear bond strength of brackets in regards to the light curing source

Cha, Jung Yul; Lee, Kee Joon; Park, Sun Hyung; Kim, Tae Weon; Yu, Hyung Seog

Abstract

With the introduction of the xenon plasma arc curing light and the LED curing light as orthodontic curing lights, the polymerizing time of orthodontic composites has clearly decreased. In contrast to various research cases regarding the polymerization time and bond strength of the xenon plasma arc curing light, not enough research exists on the LED curing light, including the appropriate polymerization time. The objective of this research was to compare the bond strength of the plasma curing light and the LED curing light in regards to the polymerization time. The polymerization time needed to achieve an appropriate adhesion strength of the bracket has also been studied. After applying orthodontic brackets using composite resin onto 120 human premolars, the plasma arc curing light and the LED curing light were used for polymerization for 4, 6, and 8 seconds accordingly. This research proved that the LED curing light provided appropriate bond strength for mounting orthodontic brackets even with short seconds of polymerization. The expensive cost and large size of the device limits the use of the plasma arc curing light, whereas the low cost and easy handling of the LED curing light may lead to greater use in orthodontics.