Effect of different concentrations of papain gel on orthodontic bracket bonding

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to verify the hypothesis that enamel deproteinization with papain gel at concentrations of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% increases shear bond strength as concentration increases. METHODS: A total of 180 bovine mandibular permanent incisors were used, divided into six groups (n=30), and denominated as follows: group 1 is the control group (CG) in which brackets are bonded with resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) according to the manufacturer's recommendations and groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 have brackets bonded with RMGIC after enamel deproteinization with papain gel at concentrations of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%, respectively. After bonding, teeth were immersed in artificial saliva and kept at a temperature of 37°C for 24 h. Mechanical tests were then performed in a universal mechanical test machine EMIC DL 5000 (Sao Jose dos Pinhais, Brazil). Values obtained were submitted to analysis of variance and then to Tukey's test (p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that enamel deproteinization with 8% and 10% papain gel increases shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets bonded with RMGIC.