Evaluation of the caries-preventive effect of three orthodontic band cements in terms of fluoride release, retentiveness, and microleakage.

This in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate the caries-preventive effect of three orthodontic band cements (a dual-curing resinmodified glass ionomer cement [RMGIC] and two light-curing polyacid-modified composite resin [compomer] cements) in terms of fluoride release, retentiveness, and microleakage after thermocycling. The RMGIC (Ortholy Band Paste [GC Ortholy, Inc., Tokyo, Japan]) showed a significantly higher amount of cumulative fluoride release over 180 days (p<0.001) and significantly greater tensile bond strength (p<0.001) than the compomer cements (Transbond Plus [3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA] and Ultra Band-Lok [Reliance Orthodontic Products, Inc., Itasca, IL, USA]). Its bond strength was unaffected by thermocycling (2,000 cycles), indicating good retentiveness, whereas that of the compomer cements significantly decreased after thermocycling. Moreover, it had lower dyepenetration scores, indicative of less microleakage. These findings suggest that the RMGIC may have a better caries-preventive effect than the compomer cements and is suitable for long-term orthodontic banding.