The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of an iodine compound for disinfecting the waterlines in dental units has an effect on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets bonded to enamel. Forty molar teeth were divided randomly into two groups- group 1 control: twenty teeth were etched for 15 seconds with 35% phosphoric acid, washed with a distilled water spray for 10 seconds, stored in distilled water for 5 minutes, dried to a chalky white appearance, and the sealant applied to the etched surface; group 2 experimental: twenty teeth were etched for 15 seconds with 35% phosphoric acid and washed for 10 seconds with water containing iodine. The teeth were stored for five minutes in the iodinated water, dried to a chalky white appearance, and the sealant applied to the etched surface as in the control group. Precoated brackets were placed on all the teeth and light cured for 20 seconds. All teeth were debonded within 30 minutes from the initial time of bonding. The t-test results (t = 1.74) indicated that there were no significant (P = .09) differences in the shear bond strengths of the teeth that were washed and immersed in the iodine solution and the control group in which distilled water was used. The mean shear bond strengths for the two groups were 6.5 +/- 3.5 MPa and 4.7 +/- 3.1 MPa, respectively.