Remineralization Potential and Shear Bond Strength of Surface Treated Hypomineralized Enamel in Bonding of Orthodontic Brackets: An In Vitro Study

Aim: To investigate the effect of different conditioning methods on remineralization potential of hypomineralized enamel and its shear bond strength (SBS) to orthodontic brackets. Materials and Methods: An in vitro study was conducted at Mansoura University, Egypt. Eighty premolars were collected and randomly classified into four groups (n = 20 each) as follows: Group 1. Control (sound teeth), Group 2. Demineralized, Group 3. Demineralized and treated with nanohydroxyapatite (nano-HA) varnish, Group 4. Demineralized and treated with casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP–ACP) paste. To detect the rate of remineralization on the surface of treated specimens, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis was used in conjunction with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SBS was measured with a universal testing machine. One-way ANOVA test was carried out to analyze differences between the tested groups. Result: SE micrographs of Group 3 and Group 4 specimens showed smoother and less porous enamel surface than that of the Group 2 specimens. EDX analysis showed highest calcium (Ca) (25.47%) and phosphorous (P) (12.76%) values for Group 4 while Group 2 showed the lowest Ca and P values (16.96%) and (10.20%), respectively (P < .001). Demineralized enamel showed lowest (3.70 MPa) SBS mean value compared to sound (10.69 MPa) and remineralized enamel (Group 3—9.90 MPa, Group 4—10.32 MPa) (P < .001). Conclusion: Nano-HA and CPP–ACP have equal remineralizing effect on hypomineralized enamel lesions and positive influence on SBS.