Nanoleakage of current self-etch adhesives bonded to artificial carious dentin

To evaluate the nanoleakage of one- and two-step self-etch adhesives bonded to artificial carious dentin.

Deep dentin of 24 human molars was exposed and divided into four groups. One group served as control while the others were demineralized in artificial demineralization solution for 10 minutes, 6 hours, and 24 hours. Roots were sectioned and the crowns were bonded with one- and two-step self-etch adhesives (Clearfil S3 and Clearfil SE Bond) then restored with flowable composite (Estelite Flow Quick). Specimens were exposed to intrapulpal pressure through a tube connected to a barrel filled with silver nitrate solution in total darkness for 24 hours and then sectioned into two mid-slabs that were photo-developed and prepared for nanoleakage evaluation using FE-SEM and EDX. Penetration of silver into the hybrid and adhesive layers was evaluated and compared between adhesives and dentin condition. Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test (alpha = .05).

Increasing depths of demineralization were observed with increasing demineralization time. There were statistically significant differences for both adhesives (P < 0.05) and dentin demineralization (P< 0.05) in hybrid and adhesive layers. Normal dentin interfaces revealed no or slight nanoleakage regardless of adhesive. The bonded interface treated with one-step Clearfil S3 showed significant differences between normal and demineralized dentin. Also a trend towards increases in nanoleakage with the increasing of the demineralization time was demonstrated. Different patterns of nanoleakage were observed within adhesives.