A Comparison of Resistance to Enamel Demineralization after Banding with Four Orthodontic Cements: An in vitro Study

The use of bands on premolar and molar teeth is quite common due to the fact that cemented bands are stronger than bonded brackets. Enamel demineralization and caries commonly correspond with the use of cemented bands, because of their posterior position in the mouth and difficulty to clean resulting in greater accumulation of plaque. This study aims to compare the in vitro resistance to demineralization provided by four orthodontic cements. Methodology: One hundred sound, extracted human premolars were collected, and divided into five groups of 20 each. Four groups were banded with four different cements—zinc phosphate cement, zinc polycarboxylate cement, conventional glass ionomer cement, resin modified glass ionomer cement and the fifth group was not banded which served as the control group. The specimens were stored in deionized water at 37°C for 30 days and thermocycled for 24 hours and debanded with band removal device. The teeth were then stored in artificial demineralization solution for 4 weeks. After which they were subjected to 10% methylene blue dye for 24 hours and buccolingual section of these teeth examined under 4×-magnification stereo zoom microscope. Results: Teeth banded with conventional glass ionomer cement and resin modified glass ionomer cement had the least amount of demineralization followed by zinc polycarboxylate cement and zinc phosphate cement. Conclusion: The teeth banded with the three fluoride releasing cements (conventional GIC, RMGIC, zinc polycarboxylate) demonstrated significantly lesser depth of enamel demineralization as measured by depth of dye penetration than did the zinc phosphate and nonbanded and noncemented control group.