Abstract
A survey of orthodontists in Australia was conducted in 1984. Of 325 questionnaires, there were 203 (65%) respondents. Over 90% had been bonding for three or more years, with a clear preference for composites over acrylic, for smaller mesh bases over larger bases, and for anteriors over full bonding although a significant number include premolars. It would seem that one third had not changed bonding products, but those who did change gave an interesting assortment of reasons for their change. A mean estimated failure rate of 5.6% is close to that reported in other surveys. Plastic brackets have gone out of favour.
A future article will look at correlations between such things as bonding technique, adhesive type and failure rates; recycling and “black spot” lesions.