Evaluation of Failure Rates of Recycled Brackets Versus New Orthodontic Brackets

Objectives: To compare the bond failure rate between new brackets and brackets recycled using sandblasting method.
Methods: A split mouth randomized control trial was designed and samples were randomly selected. Sample size was based on the statistical evaluation of previous study with 95% power. Sample size is 32 patients (512 brackets). They were randomly allocated into two groups. Group I and Group II with 32 patients in each group in a split mouth study format. Group I: sandblasted brackets in I and III quadrant and new brackets in II and IV quadrant. Group II: sandblasted brackets in II and IV quadrant and new brackets in I and III quadrant.
Results: From the results obtained over 12 months of orthodontic treatment, there were 15 bond failures, of which nine (60 per cent) occurred with the new brackets, and six (40 per cent) with recycled brackets.
Conclusions: Statistically there was no significant difference in the bond failure rate of recycled brackets with sandblasting technique when compared with new brackets.