Effect of application technique and dentin bonding agent interaction on shear bond strength

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Adhesive Dentistry
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Dental adhesives are crucial for the longevity of resin composite restorations.
• Optimizing the application technique of dental bonding agents (DBAs) is essential for achieving reliable bond strengths.
• Understanding the interaction between application methods and DBA performance is vital for clinical success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the interaction between five clinical application techniques and the shear bond strength of four different dental bonding agents (DBAs).
• To determine the optimal application technique for maximizing the bond strength of selected DBAs to human dentin.

Main Methods:

• Four DBAs (OptiBond FL, Clearfil SE Bond, PQ1, Prime & Bond NT) were tested with five application techniques on human dentin.
• Specimens were subjected to 24-hour water storage and 1,000-cycle thermocycling.
• Shear bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine; failure modes were analyzed via stereo microscopy.

Main Results:

• A significant interaction was observed between the DBA and the application technique.
• The one-second compressed air application technique consistently yielded the highest shear bond strengths across all tested DBAs.
• Other techniques, including longer air drying or manual wiping, resulted in lower bond strengths.

Conclusions:

• The method of applying dental bonding agents significantly influences their shear bond strength.
• The one-second compressed air technique is recommended for optimal bond strength when using the evaluated DBAs.
• Further clinical studies may validate these in vitro findings for improved restorative dentistry outcomes.