Influence of 10% sodium ascorbate gel application time on composite bond strength to bleached enamel

Objective To analyze bond strength to bleached enamel following application of 10% sodium ascorbate gel. Material and methods Forty third molars were allocated into five groups (n = 8): GP - unbleached specimens restored with composite resin; GN - specimens restored immediately after bleaching; and G15; G30 and G60 (test groups) - bleached specimens treated with 10% sodium ascorbate gel for 15, 30 and 60 min before restoration. The teeth were sectioned and the buccal and lingual faces were restored. After storage in distilled water (37 °C/24 h), sticks of ±0.8 mm² were tested in tensile (0.5 mm/min). Fractures were observed and classified. Data (in MPa) were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α = 0.05). Results No differences were found among GP (26 ± 6.0), G15 (23 ± 7.3), G30 (25 ± 6.1) and G60 (25 ± 5.1), with GN (15 ± 5.5) showing the lowest bond strength (p < 0.0001). Conclusion The application of 10% sodium ascorbate gel for 15 min after bleaching with 37.5% hydrogen peroxide restored the bonding to enamel.