IJOMAHIP Published Article Details

Abstract Background. Bracket bond failure is a common challenge in orthodontic practice that may prolong treatment duration and increase clinical workload. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of alcoholic and energy drinks on the shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets bonded to bovine enamel. Methods. An in vitro experimental design was conducted using sixty bovine teeth randomly assigned into three groups (n = 20): artificial saliva (control), alcoholic beverage (San Miguel Pale Pilsen, 5% ABV), and energy drink (Cobra). The teeth were bonded with Optimus Metal Twin Brackets using the Ormco Enlight Light-Cure Adhesive System after surface etching with 37% phosphoric acid for 30 seconds. All specimens were stored in artificial saliva at 37°C between immersion cycles to simulate intraoral conditions. Samples underwent cyclic immersion four times daily for five minutes over 21 days. SBS was measured using a Universal Testing Machine (Instron 4467), and data were analyzed using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc test at a 0.05 level of significance. Results. Significant differences in SBS were found among the groups (p < .001). The artificial saliva group demonstrated the highest mean SBS (6.65 ± 0.29 MPa; 95% CI: 6.51–6.78), followed by the alcoholic beverage group (4.99 ± 0.19 MPa; 95% CI: 4.90–5.08), representing a 25.0% reduction compared to the control. The energy drink group exhibited the lowest mean SBS (3.88 ± 0.11 MPa; 95% CI: 3.83–3.93), representing a 41.6% reduction compared to the control. One-Way ANOVA confirmed a statistically significant difference among groups, F (2,57) = 895.71, p < .001. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons confirmed that all groups differed significantly from each other (p < .001), with a very large effect size (ηp² = 0.969). The mean SBS values for the alcoholic (4.99 MPa) and energy drink (3.88 MPa) groups fell below the clinically acceptable threshold of 5.9–7.9 MPa, indicating an increased risk of clinical bracket failure. Conclusion. Alcoholic and energy drinks significantly reduce the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets and may increase the risk of bracket debonding during treatment. These findings underscore the importance of targeted dietary counseling, advising patients to limit the consumption of both beverages to minimize treatment interruptions, clinical visits, and bracket failure. Further studies using different beverages, bracket materials, and in vivo conditions are recommended. Keywords: alcoholic beverages; bracket debonding; energy drinks; orthodontic brackets; orthodontic materials; shear bond strength