Objective: To evaluate and compare the shear bond strength of conventional primer and moisture insensitive primer (MIP) in dry and wet conditions for bonding orthodontic ceramic brackets and to assess the Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) following debonding.

Method: Forty extracted human premolars were randomly divided into four groups of ten specimens each. Group I consisted of ceramic brackets bonded using Transbond XT primer under dry conditions. Group II consisted of ceramic brackets bonded using Transbond XT primer under wet conditions. Group III consisted of ceramic brackets bonded using Transbond Moisture Insensitive Primer under dry conditions. Group IV consisted of ceramic brackets bonded using Transbond Moisture Insensitive Primer under wet conditions. Shear bond strength was evaluated using a universal testing machine and ARI scores were recorded under stereomicroscopic examination.

Result: The highest mean shear bond strength was observed in Group III (35.45±3.36 MPa), followed by Group I (31.49±5.64 MPa), Group IV (19.70±0.71 MPa), and Group II (10.17±2.66 MPa). One-way ANOVA showed a highly significant difference among the groups (F=104.166, p<0.001). Intergroup comparison demonstrated statistically significant differences between all groups except Group I and Group III. ARI scores were predominantly 2 and 3 in dry groups and lower in the conventional wet group.