Effect of cutting instruments on permeability and morphology of the dentin surface

There are major differences in morphological detail after cutting the dentin surface among the methods commonly used to prepare dental cavities. The purpose of this study was to compare dentin permeability and the morphology of the dentin surfaces prepared with diamond and carbide steel burs after etching with 6% citric acid. Twenty-four freshly extracted human third molars were sectioned, mounted on plexiglass, and connected to the dentin-permeability measuring apparatus. The permeability of dentin was measured by fluid filtration and expressed as hydraulic conductance. There were two study groups of 12 teeth. Each tooth had one occlusal cavity preparation prepared but utilized three depths: the original was prepared just into the dentin, the second 0.5 mm deeper than the first, and the third 0.5 mm deeper than the second. One group had the first cavity prepared with a diamond, the second deepened using a steel bur, then the third depth was made by use of the diamond. The other group had the first cavity preparation prepared with a steel bur, deepened 0.5 mm again using a diamond, then deepened again using a steel bur. Dentin permeability was measured after cavity preparation, then after 2 minutes of acid etching. Analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test were used to establish whether differences were significant at the 0.05 confidence level. Prepared and acid-etched surfaces were characterized using a scanning electron microscope to identify any differences between the two groups. After acid etching with 6% citric acid, the permeability of dentin cavities prepared with diamond burs was significantly less than the permeability of cavities prepared with carbide steel burs. After etching, there were differences in the appearance of the dentin surfaces prepared with diamonds and steel burs. Dentin bonding agents may have their effectiveness reduced when placed following cavity preparation by use of a diamond.