Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro influence of aging treatments on the microtensile bond strength of 2-step total-etch and self-etch adhesive systems to primary dentin.
Methods: Class I cavities (4 mm x 4 mm x 2 mm) were prepared in 80 extracted human primary molars divided into 8 groups (N=5) per adhesive system: (1) Single Bond (SI); and (2) Clearfil SE Bond (SE). Restored teeth were exposed to individual and combined aging treatments: (1) thermal (2,000 x at 5-55 degrees C; T); (2) mechanical load (100,000 x 80 N; M); (3) pH (mineralizing/demineralizing solutions; pH); and (4) control (24-hour water storage; C). Beam-shaped microtensile specimens were prepared (0.8 mm2 cross-sectional area) and loaded at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/minute in a universal testing machine. Fracture modes were examined by scanning electron microscope.
Results: Means (MPa) and standard deviations (+/-) were: (1) SI-T=24.17 (+/-1.99); (2) SI-M=25.64 (+/-9.75); (3) Si-pH=23.43 (+/-4.19); (4) SI-C=33.81 (+/-2.45); (5) SI-TM=18.60 (+/-3.57); (6) SI-TpH=23.90 (+/-4.28); (7) SI-MpH=20.96 (+/-4.06); (8) SI-TMpH=20.94 (+/-3.15); (9) SE-T=24.08 (+/-4.52); (10) SE-M=18.30 (+/-14.12); (11) SE-pH=19.22 (+/-8.93); (12) SE-C=37.80 (+/-7.28); (13) SE-TM=22.89 (+/-11.74); (14) SE-TpH=27.87 (+/-12.77); (15) SE-MpH=18.87 (+/-10.95); and (16) SE-TMpH=22.55 (+/-3.05). Both adhesive systems presented similar dentin bond strength (P>.05) which were significantly reduced when combined aging treatments were applied or when pH cycling (pH) was done.
Conclusion(s): Combined aging treatments and also pH cycling alone influenced negatively adhesive bond strengths.