Bond strengths of a 1-step self-etching system to caries-affected and normal dentin

This study was designed to evaluate the bond strengths of a 1-step self-etching system and a 2-step "etch and rinse" adhesive system to caries-affected dentin and normal dentin. In addition, the micromorphology of the adhesive interfaces was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Extracted human molars with occlusal caries that had been stored frozen were ground in order to expose the caries-affected dentin and surrounding normal dentin. The teeth were then bonded using either Adper Prompt L-Pop or Single Bond (3M ESPE) and restored with Filtek Z250 (3MESPE). After storage in water for 24 hours at 37 degrees C, the teeth were sectioned, prepared for microtensile bond strength test and tested in tension at a crosshead speed of 1-mm/minute. After debonding of the interfaces, microhardness of the dentin underlying the interface of all specimens was measured. The thickness of the hybrid layers was observed under SEM. The results of this study indicate that the bond strength of Adper Prompt L-Pop adhesive was significantly higher to normal dentin than to caries-affected dentin (p<0.05) and that the bond strength of Single Bond to both normal and caries-affected dentin was not significantly different (p>0.05). Additionally, the thickness of the hybrid layers produced by both adhesive systems was thicker for caries-affected dentin.