Background: The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of microsilver or nanosilver particles to an orthodontic primer affects shear bond strength (SBS) and bracket/adhesive failure.
Methods: Bovine incisors were randomly divided into six groups with 16 specimens in each: In group 1 (control), brackets were bonded with Transbond™ XT primer. In the experimental groups, microsilver (groups 2 and 3) and nanosilver (groups 4-6) particles of different sizes were added to Transbond XT primer and light cured for 15 seconds [group 2: 0.1% (w/w) microsilver particle size 3.5-18 μm; group 3: 0.3% (w/w) microsilver particle size 3.5-18 μm; group 4: 0.11% (w/w) nanosilver particle size 12.6-18.5 nm; group 5: 0.18% (w/w) nanosilver particle size 12.6-18.5 nm; group 6: 0.33% (w/w) nanosilver particle size 12.6-18.5 nm]. Thereafter, brackets were bonded by light curing the adhesive for 20 seconds. After 24 hours of storage in distilled water at 37 °C, SBS was measured with a Zwicki 1120 testing machine. The adhesive remnant index and the prevalence of silver spots on the specimen surface were determined under 10× magnification. Statistical two-way analysis of variance was performed to compare SBS, and a chi-square test was used to compare ARI scores and the prevalence of silver spots.
Results: No significant differences in SBS (control: 16.59 ± 6.82 MPa; group 2: 20.6 ± 4.19 MPa; group 3: 16.98 ± 4.84 MPa; group 4: 17.15 ± 5.92 MPa; group 5: 20.09 ± 3.35 MPa; group 6: 16.44 ± 4.51 MPa; p > 0.665) and ARI scores (p = 0.901) were found between the control group and any experimental group. Only experimental groups with nanosilver particles revealed statistically more silver spots on the remaining adhesive.
Conclusions: Addition of small concentrations of microsilver or nanosilver particles affects neither SBS nor ARI scores. Addition of nanosilver particles results in silver spots in the remaining primer visible under 10× magnification. Further studies are needed to investigate the anti-caries potential and clinical performance of conventional orthodontic primer with incorporated nanosilver or microsilver particles.