One-year Adhesive Bond Durability to Coronal and Radicular Dentin Under Intrapulpal Pressure Simulation

To evaluate the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of different adhesives to coronal vs radicular dentin after one year of storage in artificial saliva and under intrapulpal pressure (IPP) simulation.

Roots of 36 freshly extracted premolars were sectioned 5 mm apical to the cemento-enamel junction and pulp tissue was removed. Buccal enamel and cementum were trimmed to obtain standardized flat dentin surfaces. Specimens were divided into three groups (n=12/group) according to the adhesive strategies utilized: a two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive; a two-step self-etch adhesive; and a single-step self-etch adhesive. Adhesives and resin composite were applied to coronal and radicular dentin while the specimens were subjected to IPP simulation. After curing, specimens were stored in artificial saliva at 37°C in a specially constructed incubator while the IPP was maintained for either 24 hours or one year prior to testing. Bonded specimens were sectioned into sticks with a cross section of 0.8 ± 0.01 mm(2) and subjected to μTBS testing. Data were statistically analyzed using multi-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures; one-way ANOVA tests; and Bonferroni post hoc test (p<0.05). Failure modes were determined using a scanning electron microscope at 100× magnification.

ANOVA results revealed a statistically significant effect for the adhesive strategy (p<0.001) and storage period (p<0.001) as well as for their interaction (p=0.024) on the μTBS. However, dentin substrate and its interactions revealed no significant effects. For both dentin substrates, the two-step self-etch adhesive revealed statistically significantly higher μTBS values than did the other two adhesives after 24 hours and one year of storage. After one-year storage, a significant decrease in bond strength values of all tested adhesives occurred with both dentin substrates. Modes of failure were mainly adhesive and mixed.

Adhesives were not sensitive to structural differences between coronal and radicular dentin even after one year of storage under IPP simulation. However, all tested adhesive systems strategies were sensitive to storage.