Introduction: The bond strength between enamel and the orthodontic bracket is dependent on a number of varying contributing factors. Contamination can affect the structural and chemical properties of dental materials. Oral fluids such as saliva, blood, and crevicular fluid can cause chemical incompatibility with dental materials. This study was performed to compare the shear bond strength under uncontaminated conditions and contaminated conditions with smokers and non smoker’s saliva. Methodology:  In total 45 teeth were selected. They were divided into 3 groups of 15 teeth each and were designated as IA, IB and IC. An Universal Testing Machine was used to record the bond strength. Group IA consisting of metal brackets bonded with conventional primer. Group IB consisting of metal brackets bonded with conventional primer under contaminated condition with non-smokers saliva. Group IC consisting of metal brackets bonded with conventional primer under contaminated condition with smoker’s saliva. Results: Group IA, IB & IC  showed a  mean shear bond strength of 10.73 Mpa,5.95 & 5.80 respectively. Discussion: In the conventional bonding system the clinical acceptable bond strength was only attained when the enamel surface was dry. We found no differences in bond strength between contamination with smokers and that with nonsmoker’s saliva. Conclusion: The bond strength under contaminated conditions was clinically unacceptable. There was no difference in bond strength between contamination with smoker’s and nonsmoker’s saliva.
Key words: Bond strength, orthodontic bracket, Smokers.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Sneh Kalgotra, Registrar, Post Graduate Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Government Dental College & Hospital, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India
This article may be cited as: Kalgotra S, Hassan R, Gul MM, Khajuria A. Comparison of Shear Bond Strength in Smokers and Non Smokers:  In Vitro Study. Int J Res Health Allied Sci 2017;3(4):93-96.