[The value of the CO2 laser for bonding composite resins to dentin]

CO2 laser irradiation brings about structural modifications at the dentin surface. The aim of this study was to compare the tensile strength of composite resin bonded to unlased dentin and lased dentin. Dentin specimens were prepared by vestibular surface sectioning, exposing a plane dentinal surface. 40 specimens received 20 individual laser impacts with a power of 4 W and a duration of 0.1 s. 20 specimens received no laser irradiation. Half of the 60 specimens was treated with Scotchbond 2 and the other one with Scotchbond Multipurpose. Composite cylinders were polymerised for 40 seconds to these specimens. Tensile bond strengths were determined at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min and fractured surfaces were examined at SEM after the test. Unlased dentin had significantly higher bond strength that the lased dentin.