Comparison of Bonding Failure Rates of Fixed Lingual Mandibular Retainers in a French Sample Aged 11 or Older, Comparing Prior Enamel Sandblasting With Conventional Pumice Polishing

"Lingual surfaces of the lower incisors and canines are pumiced before bonding the lingual retainer.~Teeth are being cleaned using a brush loaded with pumice and mounted on a low speed contra-angle. Teeth are then etched and the multi-braided retainer wire is being bonded with composite onto the lingual surfaces of the lower canines and incisors."

"Enamel is being initially prepared through sandblasting the lingual surfaces of the mandibular canines and incisors.~Sandblasting is performed with the help of a MicroEtcher IIATM (Danville) which is projecting 50 μm Al2O3 particles onto the enamel surfaces. Teeth are subsequently etched and the retainer is then being bonded with composite onto the lingual surfaces of the mandibular incisors and canines."