The effect on shear bond strength of different antimicrobial agents after acid etching

The aim of the present study was to determine whether the application of different primers containing antibacterial agents (Micro Prime, Seal&Protect, and Gluma Desensitizer) can affect the shear bond strength (SBS) of an orthodontic resin composite. Seventy-two crowns of extracted lower human incisors were mounted in acrylic resin leaving the buccal surface of the crowns parallel to the base of the moulds. The teeth were randomly distributed into three experimental and one control group, each containing 18 teeth. In each experimental group, the primers were applied to the etched enamel surfaces. In the control group, no antibacterial primer was used. An orthodontic composite resin was applied to the surface into cylindrical-shaped plastic matrices after application of an orthodontic adhesive primer (Transbond XT). For shear bond testing, a stubby-shaped force transducer apparatus (Ultradent) was applied at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute to each specimen at the interface between the tooth and the composite until failure occurred. A Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA and a Mann-Whitney U-test with a Bonferroni adjustment were used for statistical analysis. There was no significant difference between Seal&Protect (27.98 +/- 8.73 MPa) and the control (35.15 +/- 7.85 MPa) (P > 0.05). However, Gluma (21.61 +/- 7.96 MPa) and Micro Prime (14.89 +/- 5.55 MPa) caused a decrease in bond strength (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between Seal&Protect and Gluma (P > 0.05). As triclosan containing Seal&Protect did not cause a significant decrease in bond strength, it can potentially be used under an orthodontic resin composite to obtain an antibacterial effect. However, further in vivo studies are required.