Abstract

This laboratory study compared the mean tensile bond strength, mode of band failure, and survival time of orthodontic bands cemented with dual-cured cement or conventional glass ionomer cement. Survival time was assessed following application of mechanical stress in a ball mill. Mean tensile bond strength was significantly higher for bands cemented with the dual-cured cement (p<0.01), and mean survival time was significantly greater. Bands cemented with glass ionomer failed mainly at the cement/band interface. The results suggest that dual-cured cement is superior to glass ionomer for band cementation.