Bond strength evaluation of ceramic and stainless steel bracket bases subjected to cyclic tensile loading

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of loading, static and cyclic, on 1 stainless steel and 3 ceramic bracket bonding bases. Methods: The brackets were chosen because of the different characteristics of their bonding bases. The brackets in each group were bonded to bovine teeth by using the same adhesive and subjected to both static and cyclic tensile loading; the results were analyzed (ANOVA and Scheffé) for statistical differences among the groups. Results: The analysis showed that ceramic brackets have unique characteristics compared with stainless steel; the most significant is higher bond strengths. The effects of cyclic loading were shown to be significant, in that fatigue testing caused a decrease in mean tensile bond strength for most groups. An additional factor on the bond strength might be the composition and design of the bracket base. Conclusions: Simulations of occlusal forces (a combination of tensile, shear, and compressive forces) to orthodontic materials during in-vitro studies in accordance with clinical use might adequately describe actual clinical performance.