Effect of air-drying dentin surfaces on dentin bond strength of a solvent-free one-step adhesive

Mechanical Stability and Proteolytic Activity of Resin-dentin Bonds Using the Cross-linked Dry Bonding Technique

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the mechanical stability and the proteolytic activity of bonds created by a two-step, etch-and-rinse adhesive applied to cross-linked and air-dried etched dentin.

METHODS

Flat dentin surfaces were produced in 64 extracted sound human molars. The dentin was etched with 35% phosphoric acid for 15 seconds, and then the teeth were divided into groups according to the cross-linking solution applied on the etched dentin. Group 1: 5% grape seed extract (GSE), Group 2: 5% glutaraldehyde, Group 3: Gluma Desensitizer, or Group 4: deionized water (control). Solutions were applied for 60 seconds, followed by rinse and blot drying. Then, the teeth were separated into two subgroups where the etched dentin was kept moist or air-dried. The adhesive was applied followed by a composite resin buildup. After 24 hours, the teeth were cut into beams (0.81 mm2) that were tested for microtensile strength immediately or after 12 months of aging in a 37°C saliva-like buffer. Additional teeth (n=32) were bonded as described and cut into 0.5-mm-thick slabs. The slabs were prepared for nanoleakage (scanning electron microscopy) and in situ zymography (EnzChek Protease Assay Kit). Bond strength data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05).

RESULTS

Significant reduction in immediate bond strength (ca 65%) and increase in proteolytic activity was seen when the etched dentin was air dried without previous cross-linking biomodification. Conversely, bond strengths did not differ from those produced on wet dentin when collagen was cross-linked before air drying, irrespective of the solution applied. For both moist and air-dried etched dentin, collagen cross-linking resulted in mechanically stable bonds and reduced proteolytic activity after 12 months of storage.

CONCLUSION

Bonds produced by the application of a two-step, etch-and-rinse adhesive to cross-linked, air-dried, etched dentin were mechanically stable and revealed reduced proteolytic activity after 1 year of aging.

Microtensile Bond Strength of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement to Sound and Artificial Caries–Affected Root Dentin With Different Conditioning

In this laboratory study, the microtensile bond strengths (μTBS) of resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RM-GIC) to sound and artificial caries–affected bovine root dentin (ACAD) using three different conditioning agents were evaluated after 24 hours and three months. The fractured interface was examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Specimens were created on bovine root dentin that was embedded in epoxy resin. For the ACAD specimens, artificial carious lesions were created. The RM-GIC (Fuji II LC) was applied either directly (no treatment), after application of self conditioner, cavity conditioner, or 17% ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) applied for 60 seconds, on sound dentin and ACAD, then light cured. They were stored in artificial saliva for 24 hours or three months. Following this, the specimens were cut into sticks for the μTBS test, and the failure mode of the debonded specimens was examined by using SEM. Pretest failures were excluded from the statistical analysis of the μTBS values because of their high incidence in some groups. Results showed that the μTBS values were significantly affected by the dentin substrate as well as the conditioning agent. Self conditioner provided the highest and most stable μTBS values, while cavity conditioner showed stable μTBS values on sound dentin. Both self conditioner and cavity conditioner had significantly higher μTBS values than the no treatment groups. EDTA conditioning reduced the μTBS after three months to sound dentin, while it showed 100% pretest failure with ACAD for both storage periods.