Comparison of 2 self-adhesive resin cements with or without a self-etching primer

Self-adhesive resin cements that eliminate the primer step have been introduced to simplify the bonding protocol for indirect restorations. The aim of the present study was to compare the shear bond strengths (SBSs) of 2 self-adhesive resin cements used with or without a self-etching primer. The hypothesis was that adding a separate primer component to the self-adhesive systems would increase the SBS at the tooth-adhesive interface. One hundred twenty extracted human molars were hemisectioned and embedded in epoxy. Specimens were polished to expose enamel or dentin surfaces and randomly assigned to 12 test groups (n = 20). The tested variables were (1) the type of bonded tissue (enamel or dentin); (2) the cement used; (3) whether the cement was applied with or without a primer; (4) and whether the primer was air dried or photopolymerized. Bonding jigs were used to apply the self-adhesive resin cement to the tooth surfaces. A 2-minute self-cure was followed by 20 seconds of light curing. Specimens were stored in water for 24 hours and then subjected to SBS testing in a universal testing machine. Fractured specimens were examined under a microscope to determine the modes of failure. Mean SBS values were compared using a paired Student t test (with post hoc Tukey test) and an analysis of variance (α = 0.05). Compared to the control groups, the air-dried primer groups showed SBSs that were 4-6 times greater for the specimens bonded to dentin and 2-3 times greater for specimens bonded to enamel. The photopolymerized primer groups followed the same trend. The photopolymerized groups showed higher percentages of cohesive tooth failure than did air-dried primer groups. Placement of a self-etching primer prior to a self-adhesive resin cement significantly increased the SBS to tooth structure of the "all-in-1" resin cements that were tested. Photopolymerizing the primer did not significantly increase the bond strength.