Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the effect of reconditioning on the retentive area of mesh-backed stainless steel brackets. Methods: One hundred and forty used stainless steel direct bonded upper first premolar brackets (Ormco) were reconditioned by seven reconditioning methods (Part I; direct alcohol flame, reconditioning machine and glass bead. Part II; sandblasting, grinding with green stone bur, grinding followed by sandblasting and glass bead followed by sandblasting) The mesh pad of the recycle bracket was evaluated by a scanning electron microscope to determine the remaining resin and mesh strand diameter in the bracket bases. These brackets were then bonded to extracted human premolar teeth with 3M Unite adhesive bonding. Then shear force was applied to all samples at 0.05cm2/minute. Shear bond strength was recorded. After bracket dislodging, each sample tested was inspected under a microscope to determine the site of bond failure. Results: 1) The most prevalent remaining resin was found in grinding with green stone bur (134.25 SD 5.91). Furthermore, glass bead had the highest remaining resin (69.60 SD 9.08) in thermal reconditioning methods, 2) The reduction in mesh strand diameter was found in all reconditioning method, except grinding with green stone bur, which resulted increased mesh strand diameter (1.99%). 3) The shear bond strength of both thermal and mechanical reconditioning method was significantly lower than of new bracket. 4) There was no correlation between shear bond strength and mesh strand diameter (r2=0.069). While the bond failure site of thermal reconditioning methods was mostly found at the bracket-adhesive interface, the bond failure site of mechanical reconditioning methods was mostly found within the adhesive layer. Conclusion: sandblast reconditioning method is the best because of its simplicity and appropriate bond strength.