The effect of dentine surface preparation and reduced application time of adhesive on bonding strength

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of surface preparation and the application time of adhesives on the resin-dentine bond strengths with universal adhesives.

Methods: Sixty molars were cut to exposed mid-coronal dentine and divided into 12 groups (n=5) based on three factors; (1) adhesive: G-Premio Bond (GP, GC Corp., Tokyo, Japan), Clearfil Universal Bond (CU, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc., Okayama, Japan) and Scotchbond Universal Adhesive (SB, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA); (2) smear layer preparation: SiC paper ground dentine or bur-cut dentine; (3) application time: shortened time or as manufacturer's instruction. Fifteen resin-dentine sticks per group were processed for microtensile bond strength test (μTBS) according to non-trimming technique (1mm(2)) after storage in distilled water (37 °C) for 24h. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Dunnett T3 tests (α=0.05). Fractured surfaces were observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM). Another 12 teeth were prepared and cut into slices for SEM examination of bonded interfaces.

Results: μTBS were higher when bonded to SiC-ground dentine according to manufacturer's instruction. Bonding to bur-cut dentine resulted in significantly lower μTBS (p<0.000). Shortening the application time resulted in significantly lower bond strength for CU on SiC and GP on bur-cut dentine. SEM of fractured surfaces revealed areas with a large amount of porosities at the adhesive resin interface. This was more pronounced when adhesives were bonded with a reduced application time and on bur cut dentine.

Clinical significance: The performance of universal adhesives can be compromised on bur cut dentine and when applied with a reduced application time.