Introduction For most orthodontic patients, esthetic concerns are as important as functional demands. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of self-etching primer and conventional acid etching on tooth color after orthodontic treatment. Methods A total of 34 patients were enrolled in a clinical trial and divided into 2 groups based on age: adolescents (≤17 years) and adults (>17 years). Tooth color of all maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth was measured before bonding and after debonding using a spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade Compact Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany). Two types of etching techniques were used for orthodontic bonding, self-etching primer and conventional acid etching, in a randomized split-mouth design. Tooth color measurements were done according to the system of the Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (lightness, red/green, and yellow/blue). The corresponding tooth color differences between pretreatment and posttreatment, etching groups, sexes, and age groups were calculated. Results Tooth color was significantly changed in all (L, a, b) color parameters (P <0.05). The lightness value decreased by 2.16 units, and the red/green and yellow/blue values increased by 0.32 and 1.78, respectively. The average tooth color difference after orthodontic treatment was 2.85 units. No significant difference was found between self-etching primer and conventional acid etching in their effects on tooth color (P >0.05). Men and adolescents had more color change than did girls and adults (P <0.05). Conclusions Fixed orthodontic appliances caused tooth color changes self-etching primer and conventional acid etching had similar effects on tooth color men and adolescents had greater color changes than did girls and adults.
Source: American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics Full Text |