A confocal microscopic evaluation of the interface between Syntac adhesive and tooth tissue

The aim of this study was to microscopically evaluate the effect of dentine smear layer thickness, tubular orientation and immediate stress application on a modern dentine bonding agent. Eighty mesial and distal wedge-shaped cavities were cut into dentine/cementum cervically in 40 extracted human lower third molars. The thickness of the dentine smear layer was reduced by polishing the cavity surface in half the samples. Each component of the bonding agent (Syntac: Ivoclar Vivadent) was labelled with a fluorescent dye, the unfilled resin being light cured for 30 s with the composite restoration placed in one increment and light cured for 40 s. The samples were longitudinally sectioned using a slow speed diamond saw underwater, either immediately or 24 h post placement. The sectioned surfaces were then viewed using a confocal optical microscope. The thickness of the smeared layer only effected the penetration of adhesive in dentine tubules which were separated from the pulp chamber by the cavity design. These areas were well filled with adhesive; however, areas communicating with the pulp chamber showed no penetration differences due to smear layer reduction by polishing. The interdependence of the adhesive components was illustrated by failure to achieve a well-impregnated tooth/adhesive hybrid layer when the materials were incorrectly handled. The Syntac/dentine interface was generally able to withstand the stress of sectioning immediately post placement, but showed signs of failure in the cavity line angle when the applied stresses were greatly increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)