A 12-MONTH CLINICAL-EVALUATION OF A LIGHT-ACTIVATED GLASS POLYALKENOATE (IONOMER) CEMENT FOR THE DIRECT BONDING OF ORTHODONTIC BRACKETS

Glass polyalkenoate cements have the unique properties of physicochemi cally bonding to enamel and base metals and to leach fluoride over pro longed periods. These cements have been modified to provide a dual set ting with both light activation and chemical cure to produce a more ra pid set. This article reports a 12-month clinical trial of a light-act ivated glass polyalkenoate cement for the direct bonding of orthodonti c brackets, compared with a standard composite bonding adhesive. There was no significant difference in failure rates of direct bonded ortho dontic brackets cemented with Fuji II LC light-activated glass polyalk enoate cement (GC Industrial Co., Tokyo, Japan) (3.3%) compared with S ystem I + composite bonding resin (Ormco Corp., Glendora, Calif.) (1.6 %).