Evaluation of Lithium Disilicate Ceramic Surfaces before Bonding and after Removal of Orthodontic Brackets

Background: In modern dental practice, it is critical to maintain surface integrity and achieve optimal aesthetics after orthodontic treatment in high-cost ceramics, such as lithium disilicate, used in restorative materials (e.g., crowns or veneers). This study aimed to evaluate the surface roughnes...

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Main Authors: Blerim Mehmeti, Granita Muhaxheri, Rina Caka, Bleron Azizi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: International Medical Research and Development Corporation 2025-06-01
Series:International Journal of Biomedicine
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Online Access:http://www.ijbm.org/articles/i58/ijbm_15(2)_oa20.pdf
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author Blerim Mehmeti
Granita Muhaxheri
Rina Caka
Bleron Azizi
author_facet Blerim Mehmeti
Granita Muhaxheri
Rina Caka
Bleron Azizi
author_sort Blerim Mehmeti
collection DOAJ
description Background: In modern dental practice, it is critical to maintain surface integrity and achieve optimal aesthetics after orthodontic treatment in high-cost ceramics, such as lithium disilicate, used in restorative materials (e.g., crowns or veneers). This study aimed to evaluate the surface roughness (Ra) of lithium disilicate ceramic conditioned with hydrofluoric acid (HFA) or phosphoric acid (PPA) before bonding, after the removal of orthodontic brackets, and following surface polishing. Additionally, the Porcelain Fracture Index (PFI) was used to assess the ceramic surface condition after debonding. Methods and Results: Surface condition and roughness were analyzed on 35 lithium disilicate, all-ceramic semi-crowns, divided into the following groups: control group (no surface conditioning performed), HFA-conditioned group, PPA-conditioned group, HFA post-debonding group (HFA-SBS), PPA post-debonding group (PPA-SBS), HFA polished group (HFA-P), and PPA polished group (PPA-P). Surface roughness (Ra) was measured using a stylus instrument by taking five roughness profiles on each sample. Subsequently, surface modifications were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy to analyze the ceramic condition after bracket removal. Significant differences in Ra were observed among the groups, indicating non-random variations (P<0.001). The control group differed significantly from all other groups except PPA-P. Significant differences were also observed between the HFA and PPA groups and their respective post-debonding groups (HFA-SBS and PPA-SBS). Furthermore, HFA-P and PPA-P differed significantly from the debonded groups (HFA-SBS and PPA-SBS) that did not undergo polishing. Conclusion: Phosphoric acid is a safer option for surface conditioning before bracket bonding on lithium disilicate glass ceramic restorations, as it facilitates achieving high aesthetics after polishing.
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spelling doaj-art-7ee5b57d2d4448c483ba7d0e8df113832025-08-20T03:09:46ZengInternational Medical Research and Development CorporationInternational Journal of Biomedicine2158-05102158-05292025-06-0115239139510.21103/Article15(2)_OA20Evaluation of Lithium Disilicate Ceramic Surfaces before Bonding and after Removal of Orthodontic BracketsBlerim Mehmeti0Granita Muhaxheri1Rina Caka2 Bleron Azizi3Faculty of Dentistry, AAB College, Prishtina, KosovoPrivate Dental Clinic, Prishtina, KosovoPrivate Dental Clinic, Prishtina, KosovoFaculty of Dentistry, AAB College, Prishtina, KosovoBackground: In modern dental practice, it is critical to maintain surface integrity and achieve optimal aesthetics after orthodontic treatment in high-cost ceramics, such as lithium disilicate, used in restorative materials (e.g., crowns or veneers). This study aimed to evaluate the surface roughness (Ra) of lithium disilicate ceramic conditioned with hydrofluoric acid (HFA) or phosphoric acid (PPA) before bonding, after the removal of orthodontic brackets, and following surface polishing. Additionally, the Porcelain Fracture Index (PFI) was used to assess the ceramic surface condition after debonding. Methods and Results: Surface condition and roughness were analyzed on 35 lithium disilicate, all-ceramic semi-crowns, divided into the following groups: control group (no surface conditioning performed), HFA-conditioned group, PPA-conditioned group, HFA post-debonding group (HFA-SBS), PPA post-debonding group (PPA-SBS), HFA polished group (HFA-P), and PPA polished group (PPA-P). Surface roughness (Ra) was measured using a stylus instrument by taking five roughness profiles on each sample. Subsequently, surface modifications were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy to analyze the ceramic condition after bracket removal. Significant differences in Ra were observed among the groups, indicating non-random variations (P<0.001). The control group differed significantly from all other groups except PPA-P. Significant differences were also observed between the HFA and PPA groups and their respective post-debonding groups (HFA-SBS and PPA-SBS). Furthermore, HFA-P and PPA-P differed significantly from the debonded groups (HFA-SBS and PPA-SBS) that did not undergo polishing. Conclusion: Phosphoric acid is a safer option for surface conditioning before bracket bonding on lithium disilicate glass ceramic restorations, as it facilitates achieving high aesthetics after polishing.http://www.ijbm.org/articles/i58/ijbm_15(2)_oa20.pdflithium disilicatesurface roughnessorthodontic bracketshydrofluoric acidphosphoric acid
spellingShingle Blerim Mehmeti
Granita Muhaxheri
Rina Caka
Bleron Azizi
Evaluation of Lithium Disilicate Ceramic Surfaces before Bonding and after Removal of Orthodontic Brackets
International Journal of Biomedicine
lithium disilicate
surface roughness
orthodontic brackets
hydrofluoric acid
phosphoric acid
title Evaluation of Lithium Disilicate Ceramic Surfaces before Bonding and after Removal of Orthodontic Brackets
title_full Evaluation of Lithium Disilicate Ceramic Surfaces before Bonding and after Removal of Orthodontic Brackets
title_fullStr Evaluation of Lithium Disilicate Ceramic Surfaces before Bonding and after Removal of Orthodontic Brackets
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of Lithium Disilicate Ceramic Surfaces before Bonding and after Removal of Orthodontic Brackets
title_short Evaluation of Lithium Disilicate Ceramic Surfaces before Bonding and after Removal of Orthodontic Brackets
title_sort evaluation of lithium disilicate ceramic surfaces before bonding and after removal of orthodontic brackets
topic lithium disilicate
surface roughness
orthodontic brackets
hydrofluoric acid
phosphoric acid
url http://www.ijbm.org/articles/i58/ijbm_15(2)_oa20.pdf
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AT rinacaka evaluationoflithiumdisilicateceramicsurfacesbeforebondingandafterremovaloforthodonticbrackets
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