EFFECT OF ENAMEL BLEACHING ON THE BONDING STRENGTH OF ORTHODONTIC BRACKETS

Various whitening/bleaching systems have been introduced on the market , including an over-the-counter external bleaching material, containin g carbamide peroxide. It has been suggested that the process might alt er the enamel surface structure in a manner similar to acid etching. O rthodontists are interested in determining whether the process will al ter the adhesive characteristics of orthodontic bonding systems. The r esults of this study indicate that the use of 10% carbamide peroxide d id not result in significant changes in the shear debonding strength o f orthodontic brackets.