The Effect of 1.5 Tesla MRI on Microleakage and Thermal Stability of Stainless Steel and Titanium Orthodontic Brackets: An in vitro Study.

Background: Fixed orthodontic appliances, such as stainless steel and titanium brackets, might become exposed to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during treatment. However, the effects of MRI on microleakage and thermal changes in these brackets have not been thoroughly investigated. This study addresses these gaps to ensure safety and efficacy in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment while exposed to MRI. Purpose: This study investigates and compares the effects of 1.5 tesla (T) MRI exposure on microleakage and temperature changes in stainless steel and titanium orthodontic brackets, evaluating their safety and bond integrity during orthodontic treatment. Materials and Method: In this in vitro study, forty non-carious, freshly extracted human maxillary premolars were randomly divided into stainless steel and titanium bracket groups (n=20). Each group was further subdivided into MRI-exposed (case) and non-exposed (control) subgroups. The case subgroups were subjected to a 1.5 T MRI scan for 20 minutes. Microleakage was evaluated using dye penetration under a stereomicroscope, and temperature changes were measured before and after MRI exposure. Statistical analysis included Kruskal-Wallis tests and paired t-tests. Significance was set at p Value <0.05. Results: Microleakage at the enamel-adhesive interface was slightly higher than at the bracket-adhesive interface in all groups, but the differences were not statistically significant (p> 0.05). No significant differences in microleakage or temperature changes were observed between stainless steel and titanium brackets following MRI exposure (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Exposure to a 1.5 T MRI magnetic field does not significantly affect microleakage or temperature changes in stainless steel or titanium brackets. These findings suggest that fixed orthodontic appliances do not need to be removed prior to MRI examinations, provided artifacts or image interference are not a concern.