Shelf life effects on the bond strength and microhardness of self-adhesive resin cements

Among the main advantages of self-adhesive resin cements comprise good aesthetics, strong restoration-tooth bond and biocompatibility. However, some disadvantages, such as high viscosity level, color limitation and short shelf life should be mentioned. Thus, the aim of the current study was to assess bond strength between fiberglass post and root dentin in teeth subjected to self-adhesive resin cements with expired shelf life and hardness.

Sixty (60) single-rooted human teeth were sectioned and divided into 2 groups of different cements: U200 3M and MaxCem Elite Kerr. Each group was divided into 3 subgroups, based on self-adhesive resin cements' shelf life, namely: Within the use-time recommended by the manufacturer or no expiration date; 6 months after opening the aluminum blister; 12 months after opening the aluminum blister. Bond strength was measured through push-out test conducted in universal testing machine; fracture pattern was analyzed, and microhardness was investigated through Knoop test, based on hardness readings. Data were subjected to Shapiro-Wilk normality test; nonparametric test was applied to hardness data, whereas parametric test was applied to bond strength data. Hardness data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis test, whereas bond strength data were subjected to analysis of variance, which was followed by Tukey test; both tests were conducted at 5% significance level (α = 0.05).

There was no statistically significant difference in knoop hardness values recorded for the material / time / root thirds combination (p=0.483). There was no statistically significant difference in bond strength values recorded for the Material / Time / Thirds combination (p=0.237).

It was possible concluding that shelf life did not influence material's hardness and bond strength. Key words:Dental cements, Resin Cements, Shelf Life of Products.