Thickness and morphology of resin-infiltrated dentin layer in young, old, and sclerotic dentin

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the morphology of the resin tags and the resin-infiltrated dentin layer (RIDL) of several bonding systems in superficial vs deep young, old, and sclerotic human dentin. Dentin was obtained after the removal of occlusal enamel from extracted molars. Phosphoric acid gels (35-37%) were used to etch dentin before the application of bonding systems (OptiBond FL; Prime & Bond 2.0; Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus and Scotchbond 1; One Step). Each bonded specimen was then sectioned into two halves. One half was polished using a standard procedure to evaluate RIDL thickness and morphology by SEM. The other half was demineralized and deproteinized to evaluate the presence and the morphology of resin tags. RIDL was thinner in superficial dentin than in deeper dentin for all the materials tested regardless of the type of dentin. Sclerotic and old dentin showed thinner RIDL, with short resin tags, and fewer lateral branches than normal dentin.