Bond strength to dentine of two light-activated glass polyalkenoate (ionomer) cements

The effects of sample thickness on the in vitro bond strength of two light-activated glass polyalkenoate cements to dentine have been investigated. The buccal and/or lingual surfaces of non-carious human third molar teeth were used for bonding. The tensile bond strengths to dentine of samples of the cements of 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm were measured 10 min after bonding. For one of the materials bond strength and reliability were found to decrease as the sample thickness increased. The bond strength to dentine of the second material was also affected by changes in the thickness of the cement but as the bond strengths were all very low for this material, any differences are probably of little clinical relevance.