Resin-tooth interfacial morphology and sealing ability of one-step self-etch adhesives: microleakage and SEM study

To compare microleakage of three self-etch adhesives and to analyze enamel surface morphology and interfacial morphology of resin-enamel and resin-dentin interface under scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Study was conducted in 65 extracted human premolars. Class V cavities were prepared in 45 teeth and assigned to three groups (n = 15) according to three self-etch adhesives (OptiBond All-in-One, iBond, and Adper Prompt L-Pop). After restoration, 10 samples from each group were used to assess microleakage at enamel and dentin margin. Five samples from each group were used for analysis of interfacial morphology at resin-enamel and resin-dentin interface under SEM. Remaining 20 teeth were used to prepare flat enamel buccal surfaces to analyze the difference in surface morphology after treatment with three adhesives (n = 5 each) and 36% phosphoric acid treatment (n = 5).

At enamel margin, Prompt L-Pop depicted least leakage of all the three adhesives and also showed best interfacial adaptation under SEM. At dentin margin, OptiBond All-in-One showed significant less leakage than iBond and Prompt L-Pop. On flat enamel surface, phosphoric acid produced the most retentive etching pattern when compared with the three adhesives.

Prompt L-Pop showed the best bonding effectiveness in enamel, whereas OptiBond All-in-One performed significantly better in dentin.