Effect of the dentin cleansing techniques on dentin wetting and on the bond strength of a resin luting agent

Remnants of the provisional cement on prepared teeth may have an adverse effect on the performance of the definitive luting agent.

This in vitro study investigated the effect of different dentin cleansing techniques on the bond strength of a resin luting agent and dentin wetting.

Sixty buccal or lingual coronal portions of human molar teeth were mounted, with the buccal or lingual surfaces up, in acrylic resin blocks. The specimens were prepared until the dentin was exposed and a eugenol-containing provisional cement (Temp Bond) was applied to the dentin surfaces. After mechanical removal of the cement with a carving instrument, specimens were divided into 6 groups of 10 specimens each. The dentin surfaces of the specimens were treated with 1 of 5 cleansing techniques: Group S, cleansing agent (Sikko Tim); Group C, cleansing agent (Cavity Cleanser); Group O, rotary instrumentation (OptiClean); Group OS, rotary instrument preceding Sikko Tim; and Group OC, rotary instrumentation preceding Cavity Cleanser. The remaning 10 specimens were untreated and served as controls (CT). An adhesive resin luting agent (Variolink II) was applied to all specimens. Shear bond strength (MPa) was measured using a universal testing machine at a 0.5 mm/min crosshead speed. To measure the contact angle, another 6 groups (n=5) were prepared using the same methods. Contact angle measurements were performed to assess wettability using the Axisymmetric Drop Shape Analysis-Contact Diameter (ADSA-CD) technique. Wettability measurements were made with water. Data were statistically analyzed by 1-way analysis of variance with Tukey HSD tests (alpha=.05). The effect of the dentin cleansing techniques on removing the provisional cement from the dentin surface was examined with scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Specimens cleaned with all techniques showed stronger shear bond strength values than control specimens (P<.001), with the exception of C specimens. The surface cleansing techniques tested affected the dentin wetting significantly in comparison with the control group (P<.001), except for the C and the O groups. There was no significant difference in wetting between the groups C and O. The SEM observations demonstrated that the dentin cleansing techniques left differing amounts of provisional cement remnants.

Specimens treated with only the cleansing agent Sikko Tim showed the highest bond strength, likely due to the solvent effect of Sikko Tim on the removal of provisional cement. The lowest bond strength was obtained with the rotary instrument. It was concluded that the provisional cement could plug the dentinal tubules into which the resin luting agent penetrates.