Composite resin compatibility and bond longevity of a dentin bonding agent

The shear strength of a commercial dentin bonding agent was studied using human dentin in vitro. The agent was tested for compatibility with three proprietary composite resins. In addition, some samples were subjected to prolonged water immersion and thermocycling to determine effects on bond strength. There was no statistically significant difference in shear strengths when the three composite resins were used. In addition, there was no difference in shear strengths among those samples thermocycled or immersed for up to one year. The implications of this study are that the dentin bonding agent may be used with several composite resins with no significant difference in bond strengths, and that the bond seems stable when subjected to immersion or simulated intra-oral thermal stresses.