Effects of Orthodontic Mechanics on Tooth Enamel: A Review

Orthodontic treatment has the potential to cause some damage to dental enamel during cleaning with abrasives before etching, the acid etching process itself, enamel fractures caused by forcibly removing brackets, mechanical removal of composite remnants with rotary instruments or in the rebonding of failed brackets. In addition the enamel surface may be demineralized as the result of bacterial biofilm (dental plaque) around orthodontic attachments and also may get worn or eroded due to contact with ceramic brackets. Structural damage may also be caused intentionally by clinicians when reducing enamel by interproximal enamel stripping to gain space. Clinicians should make every effort to minimize damage to dental tooth enamel. In addition patients should be well informed about the importance of optimal oral hygiene.