OBJECTIVE To study in vitro the bond strength of three adhesive systems on lingual brackets. METHODS Forty-five extracted human mandibular premolars were randomly divided into three groups of 15 specimens each. All brackets (Stealth lingual brackets) were bonded with Transbond XT Light Cure Adhesive. In group 1, the conventional primer was used; in group 2, Transbond Moisture Insensitive Primer was employed; and in group 3, an antimicrobial self-etching primer (Clearfil Protect Bond) was used. RESULTS The highest mean bond strength values were observed when Clearfil Protect Bond (13.54 ± 0.58 MPa) was used and the lowest after applying the conventional Transbond XT primer (6.41 ± 0.43 MPa). The mean bond strength in group 2 was 8.20 ± 0.50 MPa, which was significantly higher than that of group 1. CONCLUSIONS Besides its antimicrobial effect, Clearfil Protect Bond results in high bond strength values. Therefore, this product might be preferable when bonding lingual brackets.