Clinical results after direct bonding of brackets using shorter etching times.

In the first part of the study, the clinical results after the direct bonding of 1,134 metal mesh-backed brackets have been evaluated. The etching of enamel was carried out with a solution of 37% phosphoric acid for 30-35 seconds. The rates of loosened brackets during the treatment period were for the upper and lower anterior teeth, 1.89% and 0.66%, respectively. In the second part, a comparison was made between the effects of 15-20 seconds and 30-35 seconds of etching on the clinical failure rate of the brackets. The number of failures within 9 months was also acceptable after the shorter etching time. A 15-second etching appears to be sufficient for the bracket bonding of anterior teeth.