Shear Bond Strength of Laser Cured Composite Resin for Direct Bonding of Orthodontic Brackets-an in Vitro Comparitive Study

Aim and objectives: To determine the shear bond strength of laser cured composite resin and compare with that of visible light cure resin and evaluate it’s clinical usefulness. Materials and methods: An argon laser with a wavelength of 488-500nm and a power density of 2.10 mW/cm and an optical diameter of 6mm with a curing time of 10 seconds was employed as against the visible light cure with a wave length of 450-500nm of the same optical diameter and curing time of 40 seconds and tested using a universal instron testing machine. Results: The bond strength between laser cured and visible light composite resin was not statistically significant. However the lesser curing time of laser reduces the chair side time. Conclusion: Laser curing of orthodontic brackets may not be a viable procedure due to the cost factor as the bond strength is clinically insignificant.