Journal of Dental Medicine

Background and Aims: Considering the application of recycled metallic brackets in orthodontic treatments and probably more resultant metal ion release, which can cause cytotoxic side effects, this study was set up to assess the effect of recycling process of orthodontic brackets on metal ion release.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 80 Discovery direct bond brackets (Dentarum, Germany) were divided into 2 groups, new and recycled brackets (n = 40), then each group was divided into two subgroups (one-week and 6-months subgroups) (n=20). The specimens were maintained in buffered solution of NaNHNo3 (pH=7) at 37°C in an incubator. After periods of one week and 6 months immersion, 0.5 mL of each solution was analyzed by spectrophotometry for the quantity of released Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), and Cobalt (Co) ions. The data were analyzed using two way ANOVA analysis.
Results: After one week, the quantity of Ni, Cr, and Co ions released from new brackets were 0.65, 1.4, and 0.75 (ppb), respectively. The values for recycled brackets were 142, 2.61, and, 1.43 (ppb). These findings indicated significant difference between two groups (P<0.001). After six months, the quantity of Ni, Cr, and Co ions released from new brackets were 1200, 3.4, and 2.4 (ppb) and from recycled brackets were 2330, 6.9, and 10.8 (ppb), which showed significant difference between two groups (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Application of recycled brackets in long fixed orthodontic treatments can lead to metal ion release, specifically Nickel. Thus, the use of recycled brackets in long orthodontic treatments is not recommended.

Background and Aims: Apical root resorption is an adverse side effect of fixed orthodontic treatment which cannot be repaired. The aim of this study was to use panoramic radiographs to compare the root resorption before and after the orthodontic treatment with standard edgewise .018 appliance.

Materials and Methods: The before and after treatment panoramic views of sixty-three patients needed fixed orthodontic treatment included 1520 teeth were categorized into 3 Grades (G0: without resorption, G1: mild resorption with blunt roots or ≤ 1/4 of root length, G2: moderate to severe resorption or > 1/4 to 1/2 of root length. Relationship between root resorption and sex and treatment duration was analyzed with Mann-whitney and  Spearman's correlation coefficient, respectively.

Results: The findings showed that 345 teeth were categorized as Grade 1.  Grade 2 of root resorption was not found in this study. The highest amount of root resorption was recorded for the mandibular lateral incisor. In both gender, the root resorption of the mandible was more than that of the maxilla. The males showed significantly higher rate of resorption than the females (P<0.05). Root resorption was not significantly related to the treatment duration and the side of the jaws (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The mandible and male patients showed higher amount of root resorption. In addition, root resorption was not related to the treatment duration and the side of the jaws.