Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the effects of the micro–etching procedure on the bracket’s slot and base parameters and on the tensile bond strength of the recycled brackets. Materials and Methods: The sample was 20 stainless brackets grouped into; control brackets group(10) and de–bonded brackets group(10). The de–bonded brackets reconditioned with micro–etcher. the data subjected to the statistical analysis at ≤ 0.05 significant level. Results: demonstrated that the use of micro–etcher for recycling the de–bonded brackets do not affect the bracket’s slot and base parameters whereas affected the bond strength of the recycled brackets. Conclusion: The micro–etcher (sand basting) is recommended for recycling the de–bonded stainless steal brackets and reuse them in orthodontic treatments
