Integrated Characterization by EDS and Roughness as a Diagnostic Tool for Dental Enamel Degradation: An In Vitro Study
Abstract
In fixed orthodontic treatment, brackets are orthodontic attachments bonded to the tooth enamel, and their placement and removal may affect the underlying enamel surface. Enamel degradation is a critical factor for oral health, as it reduces the mechanical strength of teeth and increases susceptibility to caries and erosion. Accurate diagnosis of enamel changes is therefore essential for the evaluation of preventive and restorative treatments. In this study, enamel degradation was investigated via two integrated methods: energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and surface roughness measurement. The experimental protocol was performed in three stages: before bracket bonding, after bracket removal, and after applying a remineralization treatment. The experimental design included a repeated-measures structure, with stage (baseline, post-debonding, post-remineralization) as the within-tooth factor and bracket type (sapphire vs. metallic) as the between-tooth factor. Given the violation of the variance homogeneity assumption, group comparisons were ultimately performed using Welch ANOVA followed by Games-Howell post hoc tests, with Bonferroni-adjusted values used for pairwise comparisons. The presence of orthodontic brackets can influence enamel mineralization because the bonding and debonding procedures modify the enamel surface microtopography. These procedures can generate microcracks and surface irregularities, which may affect mineral exchange between enamel and the…
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