Micromorphology of the bonded dentin interface and its relationship to bond strength

This study demonstrated a relationship between shear bond strength and the formation of a "hybrid" layer associated with the infiltration of resin into the conditioned dentin. The wetness of the substrate was also shown to influence shear bond strength with a statistically significant increase in bond strength when the tissue was blot dried. The increase was attributed to the strongly hydrophilic nature of the acetone-containing primer in the test system. Since a hybrid zone has been demonstrated in vivo and its presence has been linked to a gap-free restoration interface, it is clinically relevant to pursue systems which embody this concept. The manuscript describes methods and systems which can optimize bond strength to dentin, especially wet dentin with bond strengths equal to or better than those recorded for enamel. The method portends a high order of significance and justification for clinical evaluation. Water-loving hydrophilic systems are well suited to naturally hydrated dentin encountered clinically.