Effect of moist vs. dry bonding to normal vs. caries-affected dentin with Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus

Recent research in dentin bonding demonstrated the superiority of moist bonding over dry bonding on normal dentin, but it is unclear if this technique is also superior in bonding to caries-affected dentin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the SEM appearance and bond strength of Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus (SMPP) to normal vs. caries-affected dentin bonded under moist vs. dry conditions, with and without polyalkenoic acid in the primer. Extracted carious human third molars were ground down by means of 600-grit SiC paper until the carious dentin no longer stained with caries detector solution. The flat surfaces were then primed, bonded, and built up with resin composite. After soaking in water for 1 day, the teeth were serially sectioned vertically into 5 or 6 slabs 0.7 mm thick. The bonded caries-affected areas were isolated by means of an ultrafine diamond bur to create an hourglass configuration with a cross-sectional area of 0.9 mm2. Bonded normal dentin was isolated the same way. Each specimen was attached to a Bencor device and tested in tension to failure. SMPP bonds to dry, normal dentin were only half as strong (21+/-10 MPa, x +/- SD) as those made to moist, normal dentin (42+/-9 MPa, p<0.01). There was no significant difference between bonds made to normal vs. caries-affected dentin by means of the moist technique (42+/-9 vs. 48+/-4 MPa, respectively). Removal of the polyalkenoic acid from the primer lowered (p<0.05) the bond strength of SMPP to caries-affected dentin (38+/-8 MPa). The benefits of moist bonding extend to caries-affected dentin. The polyalkenoic acid in the SMPP primer contributes to the high bond strength that can be achieved to caries-affected dentin.