A cost-effective chairside disclosing technique for selective identification of residual orthodontic adhesive following debonding

Background: Complete removal of residual orthodontic adhesive following bracket debonding is essential to preserve enamel integrity. However, distinguishing adhesive remnants from enamel under routine clinical illumination remains challenging.Aims and Objectives: To evaluate a chairside technique using red tooth cleansing powder as a selective disclosing agent for residual orthodontic adhesive. Clinical Technique: This pilot clinical evaluation involved 16 patients undergoing orthodontic debonding. A paste prepared by mixing Dabur Red Tooth Powder with distilled water in a 2:1 ratio was applied to the tooth surfaces for one minute and subsequently rinsed. Residual composite selectively retained the red stain, enhancing contrast with the surrounding enamel. Stained remnants were removed using a tungsten carbide bur under water coolant. The procedure was repeated as required, followed by final polishing.Results: In all 16 patients, the technique visibly stained residual adhesive while the surrounding enamel showed no persistent discoloration after rinsing. The enhanced contrast facilitated identification and sequential removal of adhesive remnants. No clinically observable adverse soft tissue reactions or persistent enamel staining were noted.Conclusion: Red tooth cleansing powder appears to be a simple, economical, and readily available adjunct for identifying residual orthodontic adhesive during debonding. Although the technique may facilitate more precise adhesive removal, further controlled clinical studies incorporating objective outcome measures are necessary to establish its diagnostic accuracy, reproducibility, and safety.