Effects of remaining dentin thickness on the bond strength of bleached dentin

The bond strength of resin composites to dentin was reported to be related to either the remaining dentin thickness (RDT) or bleaching treatment. However, information is limited regarding the effects of RDT on the bond strength of bleached dentin. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of RDT on the microshear bond strength (μSBS) of resin cement to bleached dentin.

A total of 120 dentin specimens were prepared and randomly divided into 2 groups: a bleaching group (group B) and a control group (group C). Hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 35% (Ultradent, USA) was applied on the dentin surface for 2 × 1 d for group B, while no bleaching treatment was performed for group C. After the treatment, the specimens were finished and polished to obtain different RDTs (2, 1, and 0.5 mm) and divided into 3 groups of 20 specimens each. The bonding procedure was performed using Panavia V5 (Kuraray, Japan) with a bonding area of 0.785 mm². For each group, half of the specimens were subjected to 5000 thermal cycles (subgroup T), while the other half did not receive thermocycling (subgroup N) (n = 10). The specimens were then subjected to the μSBS test using a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed by a three-way analysis of variance (α = 0.05). The fracture modes of the specimens were confirmed with a measuring microscope. Representative specimens with different fracture modes were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

The μSBS values were significantly affected by bleaching treatment (p < 0.001), whereas no significant effect was observed for thermocycling (p = 0.293). In terms of RDT, a significantly different μSBS value was found among the subgroups with different RDTs in group C (p = 0.003). However, the RDT did not significantly affect the μSBS values of bleached dentin in group B (p = 0.779). The μSBS values were significantly lower in group B than in group C (p < 0.001). A higher percentage of adhesive failure was observed in group B than in group C.

Based on the present findings, it can be concluded that the RDT did not affect the bond strength of resin cement to bleached dentin.

Since RDT did not affect the bond strength of resin cement to bleached dentin, bonding procedures should not be performed immediately after intracoronal bleaching, even if the dentin is planned to be removed due to a tooth preparation process.