[Shear bond strength between composite inlay and luting composite resin]

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Adhesive Dentistry

Background:

• Composite inlays are widely used dental restorations.
• Ensuring durable bond strength between inlay materials and luting resins is crucial for restoration longevity.
• Various factors, including curing methods and storage conditions, can influence bond integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the shear bond strength of composite inlay materials bonded with luting resins.
• To investigate the impact of different finishing techniques on bond strength.
• To assess the effect of storage conditions, including water storage and thermocycling, on bond durability.

Main Methods:

• Shear bond strength testing was performed on composite inlay specimens.
• Different composite materials and luting resins were utilized.
• Specimens were subjected to various storage conditions (water storage, thermocycling) and finishing techniques (sandblasting, secondary light/heat cure).

Main Results:

• Light-cured composites with secondary light and heat cure exhibited higher initial shear bond strength (56.7-81.1 MPa).
• A heat- and pressure-cured material showed lower bond strength (18.8 MPa) unless sandblasted.
• Water storage for 30 days with thermocycling generally decreased bond strength across tested materials.

Conclusions:

• Secondary light and heat curing can enhance the initial shear bond strength of light-cured composite inlays.
• The effectiveness of secondary curing is material-dependent.
• Environmental factors like water storage and thermocycling negatively impact the long-term bond strength of composite inlays, highlighting the need for robust luting protocols.