@article{3046076,
    title = "SURFACE CHARACTERIZATION OF CERAMIC BRACKETS - A MULTITECHNIQUE APPROACH",
    author = "ELIADES, T and LEKKA, M and ELIADES, G and BRANTLEY, WA",
    journal = "American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics",
    year = "1994",
    volume = "105",
    number = "1",
    pages = "10-18",
    publisher = "Mosby Year Book Inc",
    issn = "0889-5406",
    doi = "10.1016/S0889-5406(94)70094-X",
    abstract = "The purpose of this study was to investigate the microstructure and
bonding mechanisms for four types of ceramic brackets by using
information from several methods. Two of the bracket provided
exclusively micromechanical retention as a bonding mechanism, with the
use of microspheres or microcrystals to achieve a rough structure for
the bracket base. A silane layer that provided chemical adhesion was
found to cover the bases of the two other types of brackets; one type
also used central regions of increased roughness to provide additional
micromechanical retention. Polarized-light optical microscopy showed
that the silane layer was not continuous. Small area x-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy analysis (SAXPS) of the silane layer was consistent with
the presence of gamma-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane. The study of
the ceramic bracket bases revealed a wide variety in composition,
structure, morphologic condition, and coating treatment that implies
different bonding mechanisms to orthodontic adhesives."
}