Influence of different tests used to measure the bond strength to dentin of two adhesive systems

To investigate the behavior of two bonding systems: self-etching primer Clearfil Liner Bond 2V (CLB) and total-etch Single Bond (SB) when submitted to two bond strength tests: shear bond strength (SBS) and microtensile (MTBS).

Flat dentin surfaces were obtained at the facial surface of extracted bovine incisors. muTBS started with adhesive application and incremental resin composite insertion. Samples were then sliced into 1 mm slabs parallel to the long axis of the tooth. Half of the specimens from each group were trimmed in order to obtain dumbbell-shaped (D) specimens with a cross-sectional area of 1 mm2, and in the other half of the group, the slabs were cut into beams (B) with a cross section of 1 mm2 area. Specimens were individually fractured on a microtensile apparatus. For SBS, crown segments were embedded in polyester resin and a flat dentin surface was exposed for bonding. After adhesive and restorative procedures were accomplished, the specimens were kept in water for 24 hours prior to bond testing. The tests were performed in a universal testing machine. MPa values were analyzed by Tukey's test (P < 0.05), two-way ANOVA (muTBS) and Student's t-test (SBS).

Mean values (SD) on muTBS were: SB/B: 42.6 (15.1), SB/D: 35.4 (6.8), CLB/B: 14.3 (10.3) and CLB/D: 27.0 (7.9). SBS values (SD) were: SB: 17.3 (5.6) and CLB 15.9 (7.2). Beam specimens bonded with CLB presented the lowest results. SBS did not show statistical differences between groups. The results showed that the shear bond test seemed to lack the sensitivity that is required to detect subtle differences between bonding agents or procedures.