The efficacy of a plasma arc light in orthodontic bonding: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Author(s): Russell JS, Littlewood SJ, Blance A, Mitchell L

Affiliation(s): Department of Orthodontics, St Luke's Hospital, Bradford, UK. joannesrussell@yahoo.co.uk

Publication date & source: 2008-09, J Orthod., 35(3):202-9

Publication type:

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical performance of a plasma arc light (Ortho LITE, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) against a conventional tungsten-quartz halogen curing light (Visilux 2, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) for direct orthodontic bonding. DESIGN: A single centre prospective randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING: The Orthodontic Department at St Luke's Hospital, Bradford, UK. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-three consecutive patients requiring fixed appliances from the orthodontic waiting list. A split mouth technique was adopted; with quadrants randomly assigned to either the plasma arc light or the conventional halogen curing light and bonded directly with APC pre-adjusted edgewise brackets (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Bracket failures. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Time taken to bond-up the appliances, patient sensitivity or discomfort during curing and time to replace failed brackets were investigated. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference in bracket failure rates over the full course of treatment was found between the plasma arc light (6.7%; 95% CI 4.5-10.0) and the halogen curing light (9.5%; 95% CI 6.8-13.1). There was no statistically significant difference in bracket survival times. The bond-up times were typically reduced by 204 seconds per patient with the plasma arc light. There were no differences in patient reported sensitivity or discomfort or rebond times. CONCLUSION: The plasma arc light is a viable clinical alternative to the conventional halogen curing light with benefits for both the clinician and patient due to reduced bonding times.