Effects of light-emitting diode and halogen light curing techniques on ceramic brackets bonded to porcelain surfaces

The objectives of this study were to test the efficiency of LED curing devices in bonding ceramic brackets to porcelain surfaces and to compare the effects of LED and halogen curing techniques on shear bond strength of ceramic brackets. A total of 20 glazed porcelain facets were randomly divided into two groups of 10. Porcelain surfaces were etched with 9.6% hydrofluoric acid for 2 minutes, and silane was applied on the etched porcelain surface. Ceramic brackets were bonded with an LC composite resin cured with soft start mode LED and a halogen light. Bond strengths, as determined in the shear mode, were higher in the LED group (P <.001). LED curing units with the soft start polymerization mode were more effective than halogen curing units in bonding ceramic brackets on porcelain surfaces. The type of curing light must be considered as an important factor affecting bond strength of ceramic brackets on porcelain surfaces.