Cross-compatibility of methacrylate-based resin composites and etch-and-rinse one-bottle adhesives

To compare dentin shear bond strength (SBS) of four combinations of light-activated one-bottle adhesives and composites to determine if cross-compatibility exists, and to determine if the use of the same manufacturer's adhesive and composite results in higher SBS than systems that combine different manufacturers' products.

One hundred sixty human third molars were used for bonding (n=10). Specimens were treated with 37% phosphoric acid and one of four etch-and-rinse adhesives. Specimens were placed in a bonding jig, which was filled with one of four composites. Adhesives PQ1 (Ultradent), Excite (Ivoclar-Vivadent), Optibond Solo Plus (Kerr), and Single Bond (3M-ESPE) and composites Vit-l-Escence (Ultradent), Four Seasons (Ivoclar-Vivadent), Premise (Kerr), and Filtek Supreme Plus (3M-ESPE) were tested. SBS was measured at 24 hours and three months with a testing machine at a speed of 1 mm/min and expressed in MPa. A three-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests were used for data analysis.

Significant differences were evidenced among composites for each adhesive system (p<0.001) and among adhesives for each composite system (p<0.001). Optibond Solo Plus and PQ1 yielded significantly higher bond strengths than Single Bond and Excite for all composite systems (p<0.05). All combinations, with the exception of two, demonstrated a decrease in bond strength values after aging.

Cross-compatibility was demonstrated, indicating that etch-and-rinse one-bottle adhesive systems can be safely used with composites from different manufacturers without a compromise to the bond strength. Moreover, even higher mean SBS values were demonstrated for selective combinations of different manufacturers' products