ORIGINAL ARTICLE Enamel surface evaluation after removal of orthodontic composite remnants by intraoral sandblasting: A 3-dimensional surface profilometry study Seong-Sik Kim, a Woo-Kyung Park, b Woo-Sung Son, c Hyung-Soo Ahn, b Jung-Hoon Ro, d and Yong-Deok Kim e Pusan, Korea Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of sandblasting to remove composite remnants after orthodontic bracket debonding. Methods: The sample consisted of 20 human premolars extracted for orthodontic purposes. The buccal surface of each premolar was divided into 3 parts: the upper half (control surface group, CS), the lower half left (LS group), and the lower half right (SS group). A composite resin paste (volume, 5  3  1 mm 3 ) was bonded onto the LS and SS surfaces. Then it was removed by using 1 of 2 methods: low-speed handpiece with tungsten carbide bur in the LS group and sandblasting in the SS group. Temperature change and removal time were recorded, and surface profiles were examined with 3-dimensional profilometry. Results: An independent t test showed a statistically significant difference in temperature change between the LS and SS groups (P .01). ANOVA showed no significant difference in surface profile between the LS and SS groups (P .5). Conclusions: The results suggest that intraoral sandblasting might be an alternative to rotatory instruments for resin remnant removal after orthodontic bracket debonding. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2007;132:71-6) W ith improvements of the physical and me- chanical properties of resin adhesive sys- tems, cleanup of resin remnants after orth- odontic bracket debonding has become a clinical problem. The removal of adhesive remnants from tooth surfaces after orthodontic bracket debonding is a final procedure to restore the surface as closely as possible to its pretreatment condition without inducing iatrogenic damage. 1 If remnants are not completely removed, tooth surfaces are likely to become unesthetically discolored and entrap plaque with time. 2 Therefore, many investigators have introduced various resin rem- nant-removal techniques. The most common removal technique uses ultra- sonic scalers, a low-speed handpiece with a tungsten carbide bur, and a high-speed handpiece with a dia- mond bur. 3-5 Recently, a new method of ND:YAG laser radiation to selectively remove residues of bonding resin was introduced. 6,7 The most preferred method is to use a low-speed handpiece with a round tungsten carbide bur. 8 This technique, however, is time-consum- ing and inefficient, and can damage tooth enamel. 9 Buyukyilmaz and Zachrisson 10 used a sandblasting technique to improve the bond strength of amalgam, porcelain, and gold crowns. Other investigators also reported that sandblasting bracket bases greatly in- creases their retentive surfaces. 11 Concerning the tooth enamel surface, however, Reisner et al 12 reported that sandblasting does not appear to damage the enamel surface and can be used as a substitute for polishing with pumice. The aim of this in-vitro study was to determine the applicability of sandblasting to resin remnant removal after orthodontic bracket debonding. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty human premolars extracted for orthodontic purposes were collected and stored in normal saline solution at room temperature (25.7°C). The criteria for tooth selection included intact buccal enamel not sub- From Pusan National University, Pusan, Korea. a Assistant professor, Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry. b Postgraduate student, Department of Dental Materials, College of Dentistry. c Professor, Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry. d Assistant professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine. e Assistant professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry. Supported by the Pusan Orthodontic Society Research and Education. Reprint requests to: Yong-Deok Kim, 602-739, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pusan National University Hospital, 1-10, Ami-Dong, Seo-Gu, Pusan, Korea; e-mail, ydkimdds@pusan.ac.kr. Submitted, April 2005; revised and accepted, July 2005. 0889-5406/$32.00 Copyright © 2007 by the American Association of Orthodontists. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2005.07.027 71