Influence of storage conditions of adhesive vials on dentin bond strength

This study was carried out to examine the effect of storage conditions of adhesive vials on the dentin bond strength of single-step self-etch adhesive systems. The adhesive/resin composite combinations used were: Absolute 2/Ceram.X(AB), Adper Prompt L-Pop/Filtek Supreme(AP), Bond Force/Estelite sigma Quick(BF), Clearfil tri-S Bond/Clearfil AP-X(CT) and G-Bond/Gradia Direct(GB). Vials of adhesives were stored at 5 degrees C, 23 degrees C or 40 degrees C. Specimens for the dentin bond strength tests were made after 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months. Labial bovine mandibular incisor dentin was wet ground with #600 SiC. The adhesives were applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. After adhesive light irradiation, resin composite cylinders were created (4 mm x 2 mm) and polymerized (n = 10). Samples were stored in 37 degrees C distilled water for 24 hours, then shear tested at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/minute. ANOVA and Dunnet tests were performed at a significance level of 0.05. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations of the dentin surfaces were made. Bond strengths varied, with storage conditions ranging from 2.2 +/- 1.4 to 9.3 +/- 2.4 MPa for AB, 4.5 +/- 1.5 to 13.3 +/- 2.7 MPa for AP, 5.1 +/- 1.9 to 5.1 +/- 1.9 MPa for BF, 7.7 +/- 1.9 to 19.7 +/- 2.0 MPa for CT and 7.4 +/- 1.3 to 15.7 +/- 2.8 MPa for GB. With longer storage periods and higher temperatures, significant decreases in bond strength were found for all the adhesives. From SEM observation, the etching effect of the adhesives was weakened and the remaining smear layer was observed. The data suggests that the storage conditions of adhesive vials significantly affects the bond strengths of single-application self-etch adhesive systems.