An ex vivo investigation into the use of a plasma arc lamp when using a visible light-cured composite and a resin-modified glass poly(alkenoate) cement in orthodontic bonding.

To determine the usefulness of the plasma arc lamp in orthodontic bonding when used with both a light curable diacrylate and a resin modified glass poly(alkenoate) cement. Ex-vivo study. 160 second premolar teeth were divided into 2 groups. 80 teeth had steel brackets bonded using Transbond XT and 80 were bonded using Fuji Ortho LC. One of four light curing regimes were used, with 20 specimens in each group: (i) 20 seconds curing with a halogen lamp; (ii) 1 second; (iii) 2 seconds or; (iv) 3 seconds with the plasma lamp. Shear bond tested to failure and the force to debond (N) and locus of bond failure recorded in each case. Force to debond increases in the case of both bonding materials as the curing time with the plasma lamp increases. The force to debond with 1 and 2 seconds with the plasma lamp was significantly lower in each case. In all instances the force to debond was lower in the case of the resin modified glass poly(alkenoate) cement specimens. Locus of bond failure was unaffected by the method and length of light curing and was generally mixed mode. Use of the plasma arc lamp in orthodontic bonding could result in significant time saving.