# Evaluation of Microleakage Beneath Orthodontic Molar Bands Cemented With Resin‐Modified Glass Ionomer Using Two Enamel Deproteinization Agents

## TL;DR

This study compares how well different enamel treatments reduce gaps under orthodontic bands cemented with a specific type of cement.

## Contribution

The study introduces 6% bromelain enzyme as a novel deproteinization agent that significantly reduces microleakage in orthodontic band cementation.

## Key findings

- 6% bromelain enzyme treatment resulted in the least microleakage at both occlusal and CEJ sides.
- Group II showed better microleakage values at the gingival side compared to the control group.
- Bromelain enzyme improved marginal sealing more effectively than chlorhexidine and untreated enamel.

## Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microleakage beneath orthodontic bands cemented with resin‐modified glass ionomer (RMGI), following enamel treatment with two different deproteinizing agents in comparison to a control group.

Thirty‐six human third molars were used for this cross‐sectional study. The samples were randomly divided into three equal groups of 12. The method of band cementation in each group was as follows: Group I (6% bromelain enzyme as deproteinizer + GC Fuji plus Conditioner + GC Fuji Plus Glass ionomer), Group II (chlorhexidine [CHX] as deproteinizer + GC Fuji Plus Conditioner + Glass ionomer), and Group III (GC Fuji Plus conditioner + GC fuji plus Glass ionomer) as the control group. All samples were sealed and dyed with methylene blue and then exposed to thermocycling. The samples were sectioned and prepared for microleakage evaluation at both occlusal and gingival sides for the enamel–cement interface margins. A stereomicroscope was used to evaluate the amount of dye penetration as the microleakage. Comparison of the microleakage values among the groups was done using the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U test as the post hoc test.

The 6% bromelain enzyme deproteinization showed the least amount of microleakage at both occlusal and CEJ sides of the bands (p  < 0.05). Group II also showed a better microleakage value at the gingival side in comparison to the control group (p  < 0.05).

This study revealed that the pretreatment of enamel with 6% bromelain enzyme significantly reduced the microleakage beneath orthodontic bands cemented with RMGI cement (RMGIC). Improved marginal sealing by 6% bromelain enzyme was significant compared with that of the CHX pretreatment and untreated enamel surfaces.