Accuracy of Computer-Aided vs Conventional Indirect Bonding of Orthodontic Brackets: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Recently, indirect bonding popularity increased due to its advantages as reduction of chair time and enhancement of patient comfort. Although the techniques of indirect bonding have improved over the years, the literature has shown different techniques of bracket placement; furthermore, different materials were specially developed for this technique. Many researchers have tried their methods to achieve proper indirect bonding by changing their approach either during laboratory or clinical procedures. Also many studies have been performed in order to test the indirect technique efficiency. In fact, just few reports were able to evaluate the clinical reliability of the indirect bonding technique compared with the conventional bonding technique, most of these studies evaluated either the bond and shear strength or the bracket placement accuracy compared to direct bonding or the precision of the used transfer tray. The theoretically more ideal bracket placement which is intended to be achieved in indirect bonding is of no importance to the orthodontist unless the bracket position planned in the set-up is transferred with complete accuracy to the patient’s dentition. Recent methods of evaluating the accuracy of bracket position were used in this study, which opened the door for precise evaluation for all of the indirect bonding techniques available in the market either computer-aided or manual techniques. Therefore, insights into both positional accuracy and reliability in several ways were the aim of this study. Specifically, how often the brackets “Strike-the-target” and are placed accurately within clinically