The effect of micro-etching on the retention of orthodontic molar bands: aclinical trial

Failure of orthodontic bands occurs most frequently at the band-cement inte rface, when conventional glass ionomer cements are used. Modification of th e band surface may improve clinical performance by increasing the mechanica l interlock at this junction, The aim of this prospective study was to comp are the retention of micro-etched and untreated first molar orthodontic ban ds in a randomized, half-mouth trial. Seventy-nine patients had 304 bands cemented as part of routine fixed appli ance therapy. The effect of micro-etching, patient age and gender, operator , molar crossbite, treatment mechanics, and arch on band failure was invest igated. Failure rates and survival times were compared for each variable as sessed. Micro-etched molar bands showed a significant reduction in clinical failure rate over untreated molar bands and an increase in mean survival time (P < 0.001). Of the other variables examined, only the presence of a molar cros sbite had any significant effect on band failure (P= 0.004).