Abstract
Objective:
To evaluate bovine enamel surfaces after removal of clear aligner composite attachments using different methods, considering temperature, noise and vibration generated by rotating instruments. The null hypothesis stated that there would be no differences among methods.
Material and methods:
A total of 56 specimens were randomly assigned to seven groups according to the removal technique: pencil-tip diamond bur at high-speed (CG); latch-lock multiblade bur at low-speed (LG); friction-grip multiblade bur at high-speed without irrigation (HG); friction-grip multiblade bur at high-speed with irrigation (HIG); aluminium-oxide tips at low-speed (AOG); Sof-Lex™ Pop-On discs at low-speed (SLG), applied from coarse to fine; and Enhance silicone tips at low-speed (EG). Surface roughness was measured using a 3D optical profilometer (Nanovea PS50) and microhardness with a Knoop microhardness tester (Buehler MICROMET 5104). During composite removal, temperature was monitored with a digital infrared thermometer (Lasergrip GM 400), noise with a decibel metre (DL-1100), and vibration with a vibration metre (WT63A).
Results:
AOG produced the highest mean vibration (2.6 ± 0.4 mm/s; P < 0.001), LG generated the highest mean temperature (31 ± 1.2°C; P < 0.001) and CG produced the highest mean noise levels (90.3 ± 2.1 dB; P < 0.001). SLG showed the smallest mean change in roughness (ΔRa: 0.46 ± 0.57).
Conclusion:
All removal methods increased enamel roughness and reduced microhardness, with significant differences in temperature, noise and vibration. AOG and SLG caused less enamel damage and better surface preservation, indicating they may represent safer clinical options. The null hypothesis was therefore rejected.
Plain language summary
The goal of this study was to see how the surface of teeth is affected after braces or other orthodontic attachments are removed using different tools. Researchers wanted to find out which tools caused more heat, noise or vibration, and how much they damaged the surface of the teeth. To do this, they used 56 tooth samples and divided them into seven groups. Each group had the braces removed using a different method. Some tools spun very fast, while others spun slowly. Some used water to cool things down, and others did not. The tools tested included diamond drills, multi-blade drills, aluminium oxide tips, sanding discs and silicone polishers. When removing the attachments, the researchers measured how much heat, noise and vibration each tool produced. They also checked how rough the surface of the teeth became after the attachments were taken off. The results showed that the aluminium oxide tips caused the most vibration. The six-blade drill used at low speed caused the most heat, and the diamond drill used at high speed was the noisiest. The Sof-Lex™ sanding disc caused the least amount of roughness on the tooth surface. In the end, the study found that all the methods caused some damage to the surface of the teeth, making them rougher. However, the amount of damage, heat, noise and vibration varied depending on which tool was used. This information can help dentists and orthodontists choose better tools to remove braces in a way that’s gentler on the teeth, quieter and more comfortable for the patient.
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